Weekly Update: June 10, 2014

Non-stop rain fell on last week’s market, hours and hours of it, soaking shoes and chilling bones, but Carrie Richter from Peachtree Circe Farm was not complaining.  “We need the rain,” she said. Dig down a few inches into the soil, and fields are quite dry. We like a sunny attitude on what felt more like a bad day in March than June. Some brave souls donned foul weather gear, or came to the market juggling umbrellas. And, perhaps, they bought an extra vegetable to show support or flowers to lift their mood.  Dan Silva had to make a run back to his farm for additional eggs.  “I could have brought more,” said Carrie, surveying her near-empty table at the end of the day. On a slow rainy day, the market was certainly a bright spot. Rain-misted greens have never looked greener. Red radishes and peonies popped with color. Lettuces –lime green, deep burgundy and speckled in-betweens—looked ravishing.

There will be pretty much everything there was last week this week (except asparagus.) Strawberries could start making an appearance soon. Possibly even this Thursday. Here’s what you might expect:

Lettuces, arugula, spinach, salad greens, micro-greens, pea tendrils, cucumbers, scallions, radishes and freshly cut herbs.
Chard, collard, kale (both Russian and Tuscan) braising greens, velvety baby bok choy, sweet little salad turnips, purple kohlrabi. Broccoli, and – great with pasta — assertive flowering broccoli rabe.
Maybe still some over-wintered potatoes and root vegetables.
Hydroponic tomatoes, basil and English cukes from Cape Abilities’ greenhouses.

Cape-caught fish: probably bluefish, plus scallops – and a third “catch-of-the day.” Chicken, chicken parts (great for soups and stocks) smoked pork, and fresh eggs from Da Silva Farms.

Massachusetts-made cheeses: Great Hill Blue, Long Lane Farm goat cheese —made fresh the morning of the market – and Shy Brothers’ Hannahbells and Cloumage.

Vegetable starts for your kitchen garden, including organic tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants from Tina’s Terrific Plants (New this year: “indigo blue” cherry tomatoes, high in anti-oxidant anthocyanin.)  Pots of organic herbs and rabbit-proof hanging containers of “cut&grow” lettuces, and ever-bearing strawberries.

Flower bouquets – and buckets of peonies from Peachtree Circle Farm!

Breads: 3 varieties of Rein’s Real Rye – caraway, fennel seed and ever-popular Swedish Limpa, plus classic and garlic ciabatta. Bread and sweet pastries from Pain D’Avignon. Grain-free and gluten-free treats from White Lion Bakery, including the super crisp cheddar cracker served at “Tastes of Falmouth.” And we dare say, Great Cape Baking’s apple cider doughnuts.
Jams, jellies, pickles, mustards, preserves, dried cobs of popping corn – and jars of locally made salt. Find Cape Cod Saltworks products at Cape Abilities’ new table.

Excellent wines from Westport Rivers Winery, including a “summertime special” rosé. Fresh coffee and coffee beans ground to order—talk to Wayne Santos and his daughter Jessica.  Seasonally-themed, exquisite hand-made chocolates with a new floral collection for Spring, and more.