Hello, All!

It’s JUNE!! And before I try and tempt you to go to the farmers market this Saturday, I want to tell you about something new and fun!

FARMERS MARKETS AROUND ALASKA!
Are you travelling around Alaska this summer? Might you be tempted to stop in another town and look for a farmers’ market there? If this sounds like your ideal vacation (it’s definitely high on my list!), I have great news! I’ve just launched a website for the brand-new non-profit, the ALASKA FARMERS’ MARKET ASSOCIATION. Every farmers’ market in Alaska is listed by city, along with its location, dates and hours of operation, and contact information (sometimes even websites). The association was formed to support farmers’ markets and market managers throughout Alaska, and the website is just part of our grand plan. Check out the website at www.AlaskaFarmersMarkets.org.

PERENNIALS
Have you ever dropped a load of cash on “discount” perennials at a big-box store and then been disappointed because they didn’t come up the second year, or the third year? I admit, when I first started my perennial garden many years ago, that’s what I did… I didn’t realize that buying perennials at those places is risky, because they sell all kinds of plants that aren’t specifically chosen for our Alaskan climate—and they are unlikely to survive a hard winter. Also, they aren’t always very well taken-care of, so by the time you get these plants, you may be waiting a few years for them to get strong enough to flower. I had given up on flowers altogether and was working on appreciating foliage until the third year, when a few of those poor plants finally got big and strong enough to flower. That’s about the time I realized that even though perennials from our local nurseries (who are selling flowers and plants at the Farmers’ Market) seem more expensive at the outset, I was actually getting a better deal than shopping for “bargains” at the chain big box stores. The plant sellers at our market will sell you top-quality plants that are especially chosen to thrive here in Alaska. You can ask them questions about what plants will grow well in your garden, in what types of conditions (shade or sun, wet or dry conditions) and they can help you pick the right plant for the right place.

And FISH! Arctic Choice didn’t let me know what they will be bringing this Saturday, but last week they had Copper River sockeye salmon, troll king salmon from Southeast Alaska, fresh halibut, cod, rockfish, sablefish, sidestripe shrimp, scallops, salmon meat, and ikura, live oysters and clams. I’m sure they will have good stuff this week, as well!

Glacier Valley Farm also has potatoes and onions for sale. I’m still being inspired by the onions and potatoes that Vanderweele Farms is bringing to the market!! Now that it’s June, are you thinking about barbecues in your backyard—even though the weather hasn’t seemed quite warm enough? What could be more apropos than making a big batch of Boston baked beans? I’ve included a recipe at the end for these delicious beans to go with your hotdogs or burgers or grilled chicken! Now wait—if I’ve just lost you (are you thinking “are you crazy? Just open a can!”), please give these beans a chance. They have a similar savory-sweet and complex flavor to the canned beans you probably grew up on (yes, I loved canned beans with weenies as a child), but these are just so much better and more delicious. Aren’t you wondering now what that flavor is? The sweetness in my recipe comes from molasses, tomato paste, and the massive amounts of onions in the recipe—they cook down and disintegrate into a delicious sauce. The beans do take a while to cook, but it’s mostly oven time, so you don’t have to watch them while they cook. And they really are worth the time. You can make a big batch and freeze them in plastic containers and have them ready to thaw any time you feel like a barbecue!

BREAD
While Rise & Shine Bakery will not be at the market until June 13th, Mary Jane will have all kinds of French Oven bakery bread, as well as cinnamon rolls from Slack’s Sugar Shack in Palmer. She’ll also have rolls, ham & cheese croissants, palmiers, and macaroons.

Also look for Northern Lights Mushrooms, with a load of oyster mushrooms!

related recipes

Boston-baked beans