Thursday, December 06, 2007

Grapevine December 9 2007 Market

this week
- What's Coming To The Market This Week?
- Cooking Ideas - Candied Sweet Potatoes

This newsletter issue is one I didn't expect to write. But a trio of winter storms changed things. We don't take cancelling markets lightly. But when the National Weather Service issues a Winter Storm Warning and a High Wind Warning, we err on the side of caution.

So we have a weather delayed Holiday Market this week (and yes a market next Sunday too). All your favorite winter market vendors will be at the market. They'll be joined by craft vendors including Jerry Harris Woodturner, Cement Plant Art, Darris Dietz Pottery, Bedazzled Jewelry and much more. Sadly, Deborah Madison won't be at the market this week. However, Deborah stopped by Annie Bloom's Bookstore and signed copies of Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. If you planned to buy a signed copy as a holiday gift, just stop by Annie Bloom's in Multnomah Village.

The Hillsdale Alliance is holding its fundraising Book Sale at the nearly completed Watershed senior housing center at the corner of SW Bertha Ct and SW Capitol Hwy. The Hillsdale Business and Professional Association will be holding its annual Holiday Chili Feed in the same location. Musical groups from Wilson High, Robert Gray MS, Hayhurst Elementary and Portland Jewish Academy will be performing at the market and the book sale. Looks like a good weekend to support local schools, local businesses and local markets to me.

See you on Sunday!

Eamon Molloy
Market Manager

What's Coming To The Market This Week?

As we approach winter solstice, the weather makes harvest predictions tricky. You'll find apples, pears, walnuts, chestnuts, kale, winter squashes, carrots, greens, turnips, parsnips, potatoes and more. For the complete list of who's coming this weekend and what they expect to be selling, Check the availability list for the complete list of who's coming this weekend. I'll make changes as farmers phone them in so check the list through the weekend.

IN
Cherry Country
Leslie's Gourmet Potato Salad Co. *NEW*
Vibrant Flavors (Oregon Dukkah)
Zbeanz

OUT
Gales Meadow Farm (back in January)
Garden Color (finished for season)
Rick Steffen Farm (back in January)
Square Peg Farm (back in January)
Stephens Farm (back in April)
Zbeanz Coffee (back on December 16)

Note: Ayers Creek Farm will be at this Sunday's market but will not be at the Dec 16 market.

Cooking Ideas - Candied Sweet Potatoes

Here's another recipe from Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. Ayers Creek Farm is bringing sweet potatoes this Sunday and this seemed like the right recipe. Enjoy!

Candied Sweet Potatoes
(From Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison)

3 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, scrubbed
1 inch knob ginber, peeled and thinly sliced, optional
6 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper
1/3 cup maple syrup or brown sugar
1/2 cup apple juice or water

Boil potatoes until tender but still slightly firm when pierced with a knife. Drain. When cool enough to handle, remove the skins. Cut them lengthwise into slices about 3/8 inch thick.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a large, shallow casserole and make a layer of potatoes. Scatter a few ginger slices over them, dot with butter, season with salt and pepper and drizzle some syrup on top. Repeat until all the potatoes are used. Dot the last layer with butter and pour in the juice. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.