Travel to the Greenest Greens and Other Goodies: Farmer’s Markets in Oregon (Friday Favorites) & RECIPE
Posted in Food, Oregon, Shopping, Travel | By Shelley Gillespie | Tags: Farmer's Markets, Food, Oregon, Recipe, Travel
We love farmer’s markets! The joy of finding produce so fresh that it just came out of the ground that very day is a major rush for people with a black thumb (those who cannot grow things well) like me.
In Oregon, farmer’s markets have reached a great level where a shopper can find most of their produce and some other wonderful items right in the same places every week for most of the year. While we traveled in Oregon, we were able to see three farmer’s markets.
Join us as we explore three Oregon cities’ farmer’s markets…
Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon has an 80,000-plus population. Their farmer’s market, which is held in two locations during the week, has one location in an idyllic spot next to the Deschutes River. About two-dozen vendors were offering vegetables, fruit, baked goods, eggs, meat, and more. The meat was “pastured chicken,” turkey, yak, buffalo, elk, and goat.
Abundance of tomatoes in multi-colored hues
Corn display worthy of a sculpture
Accompanied by performers, the farmer’s market had a festive air to it.
Next, we headed to Corvallis…Corvallis, Oregon
A college town, Corvallis, holds a terrific street fair and farmer’s market on Saturdays and Wednesdays. We stopped at the one on Saturday held right next to the Willamette River. Children were dancing in the fountain (the type that come right out of the ground) since it was a warm day. Everyone was smiling and looking happy.
With dozens of vendors at the farmer’s market, we wished we were staying somewhere with a kitchen because the produce was gorgeous! In addition to the fruit and vegetables, oatmeal soap, nuts, gourds, jams and jellies, flowers, breads, and meats were available. The selection was extensive and reasonably priced with the word “organic,” on a lot of signs.
Corvallis Farmer's Market stretched a full block
Flower display
And, oh, those street musicians! Just as you got out of earshot of one musician, another one was just down the street. Irish fiddle, guitar, a jazz combo, and steel guitar and harmonica created a pleasing music to accompany the shopping.
And, after we left Corvallis, we ended our trip in Portland, Oregon where we went to the gigantic farmer’s market that is an institution held at Portland State University.Portland, Oregon
Actually, there are farmer’s markets held in Portland on almost every day of the week. We took the Tri Met Max light rail from our hotel and had to walk just a few blocks to the farmer’s market at PSU on a Saturday. And, what a crowd!
A rainy day, but still a crowd
It had been rainy and one vendor remarked that the crowd was only about half of what was usual! Wow! No wonder vendors camped out every week during the March through December season when the farmer’s market is open!
The selection was fabulous and the colors, choices and samples were enough to make you wish you could buy something from everyone. Over 100 vendors were offering their produce and products and, according to the organizer, they have space for as many as 140.
Colorful vegetables fresh from the farm
In addition to the produce, musicians were performing and prepared food was available – even though it was drizzling. The food spanned many ethnic choices including tamales, pigs in blankets, Asian foods, and organic choices. Sage Culinary Advice’s Chef Kathryn Yeomans was offering samples of delectable mushroom recipes for the eager crowd. (wildeats@msn.com)
Chef Kathyrn Yeomans prepares mushroom recipes
One whole block in a courtyard was the setting for all of this bounty. In addition to all of the items we had seen at other farmer’s markets, they offered bagels, mushrooms, lavender infused jam, wines, honey, prunes, candles, coffees, and much more.
A sense of humor was on display with signs like “Our girls are happy chickens.” Raynbest Farms told us they’d been coming to the Portland Farmer’s Market for 14 years – same spot. They had a huge following and “wouldn’t even think of taking a vacation from March through December.”
We loved the extensive choices – I saw at least four colors of tomatoes!
So, now I’ve gone back to my hometown with visions of incredible produce that can be. My town has a fledgling farmer’s market in its second season. They are building – and I look forward to even more choices and great food!
Enjoy the best you can in food by seeking out your nearby farmer’s market! You’ll eat better and for less!
RECIPE
Creamy Smoked Salmon and Fennel Canape
(Courtesy of Portland Farmer’s Market “Taste the Place”)
Ingredients:
1/3 cup cream cheese
1/3 lb. (150 g) smoked salmon, choppped
1/2 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh fennel
Juice of one half lemon
Pepper
25-30 crackers or baguette pieces
Capers (or other favorite pickled product)
Directions:
In bowl, mix cream cheese with salmon, sour cream, fennel and lemon juice. Season to taste with pepper. Spread each cracker or baguette with smoked salmon mixture. Garnish each canape with one caper and arrange on serving dish. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Tags: Farmer's Markets, Food, Oregon, Recipe, Travel