Farmers Market: Bring on Spring!

Winter was quick to leave the Pacific Northwest this year and though there are still chilly nights and some snowfall in the mountains, we have been enjoying more than this season's fair share of blue skies and jacketless afternoons.

But the one sign of warm days to come that has me a bit giddy is the appearance of asparagus at the Portland Farmers Market. I wasn't really expecting it, yet there is was in all of its tiny stalked and fresh green glory. I've waited nearly a year to make Barbara Kingsolver's Asparagus and Morel Bread Pudding, but finally I can again put that on the Great Ideas for Dinner list.

Ahhhsparagus!

Not only did was there asparagus, but Groundworks Organics even had strawberries! I couldn't resist buying a pint of the promise of summer.

Everytime I go to the Farmers Market I try to buy something I've never prepared before. This week, I chose to try out rhubarb.

Gathering Together Farm had a great big pile of it, so I grabbed a pound or so, stuck it into my bag with my other purchases and made my way home to make...wait for it...

Rhubarb and Ginger Jam

1 pound fresh rhubarb chopped
3 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest

Put everything into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring frequently until the jam piles up on a spoon and looks all jam-like.

This jam is very good on buttered toast, a Nilla wafer or eaten straight off the spoon. I also used it, with incredible success, as the raspberry jam substitute in the Raspberry Shortbread Bars posted on Almost Slowfood, a fantastic blog written by my dear friend Peggy Bourjaily.

Even my husband J, who doesn't usually have much of a sweet tooth liked them and went back for seconds. Thank you so much Peggy, for always posting such people pleasing recipes!

Sigh...I love Spring.

Its like Christmas in March!

I had trouble falling asleep last night. I was a giddy as a child on Santa's "good list" on Christmas Eve. All night long visions of fiddlehead ferns, peashoots and stinging nettles danced in my head. I awoke at four a.m. with the thought of a grilled cheese made with Rogue Creamery's Rosemary Cheddar.

As soon as was reasonable, I was out of bed, my market bags in hand. After a quick stop at Coffeehouse Northwest for a cup of Stumptown Coffee, I was off to the South Park Blocks to grab me some local grub at the opening day of the 2010 Portland Farmers Market.

Even the first day of Spring was eager to share in the festivities and showed up with sunshine and cherry blossoms at 10:26 a.m. I was there a bit earlier at the opening bell as vendors and market goers alike cheered in the new season.



This year's Portland Farmer's Market has doubled in size, allowing better movement of the crowds among the approximately 100 vendors once the market is in full swing. For a view of the new set up, visit Portland Farmers Market's interactive map.

The weather was amazing and it was such a pleasure to once again wander around the market planning my purchases and dreaming of the dinners that would come out of them. Its been a very mild winter here and everything has blossomed early so there were plenty of blooms scattered among the veggies, fruit, herbs, meat,honey, fish, dairy, wine, nuts, and juice brightening up the already sunny morning.

Colorful Ranunculus

I bought a bunch of White Lion Double Head Daffodils from Laurel Valley Farm and they have already frangranced my entire living room.

Assorted mushrooms from Springwater Farm

Fiddlehead ferns.

Miner's lettuce

Stinging nettles

It was really difficult to pass up these cinnamon rolls for my future breakfast date with the husband who was still sleeping at home.

Herb starters

I will, of course, have to miss the market next week as I'll be running the big 32.4.32 birthday run, but am so happy I will once again be able to make it a part of my week.