Tag Archives: Tomato Gazpacho

September 25th Mercer Island Farmers Market Vendor Highlights

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Winter squash from Hand-Farmed Organics at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Winter squash from Hand-Farmed Organics at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Well, the calendar and the produce appearing at the farmers markets are saying that it is fall. But the weather is saying that it is summer; high of 80°F and sunny. Today might be unseasonably warm, but it is supposed to change dramatically on Saturday night with a high of only 65°F on Sunday. Fall seems to be finally coming.

We have updates from two of the MIFM’s vendors. In addition, as the Events Team volunteers are planning to sample apples at Sunday’s market, we thought that some photos of many of the varieties that have appeared in recent weeks would be fun.

Farmers Market Preserves, Seattle, WA

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, speaking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011.

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, speaking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, started his weekly message to customers with, as he terms it, “some high-falutin poetry”:

Order the last fruits to become ripe
Give them two more sunny days
Push them to fulfillment
And force the last sweetness into the heavy wine.

—Rainier Maria Rilke

Rome with be coming to the MIFM this Sunday with a new batch of Strawberry with Basil and Balsamic Jam and some terrific Nectarine Jam with fruit from Collins Orchards.

The magic word this week is “high-falutin” in honor of Rilke’s poem. So for a dollar off of your first jar of jam this week be sure to work the word-of-the-week into your conversation with Rome.

Got Soup?, Seattle, WA

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011.

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Jerry Baxter, owner of Got Soup?, writes, “So last week I gave a dissertation on Kohlrabi, this week I am going to keep it simple. It is soup season. Here are some soups that will make your life easier. Most will go well with a nice salad or some good bread. Hope you like. Next week I will have a couple of new soups for you.”

This week’s soups are:

  • Gumbo: chicken stock (chicken, onion, celery ,carrot, tomato, parsley), onion, celery, carrot, red and green peppers, tomato, chicken, sausage, garlic, flour, butter, file powder, parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, paprika, cayenne
  • Orange and Cumin Sweet Potato (vegan): vegetable stock (water, onion, carrot, celery, tomato, parsley), sweet potato, onion, celery, oranges, cumin, cilantro, jalapeño
  • Northwest Chowder: Fish/clam stock (fish, clams, onion, celery, carrot, parsley), onion, potatoes, celery, leeks, red pepper, salmon, clams, milk, butter, flour, parsley, chervil, chive, thyme, peppercorns
  • Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho (cold, vegan, and raw): tomato, cucumber, onion, fennel, yellow pepper, zucchini, tarragon, parsley, sherry wine vinegar, cayenne, paprika, olive oil
  • Wild Mushroom (vegan): mushroom/vegetable stock (mushroom, onion, celery, carrot, tomato, parsley), portabello, button, crimini, leeks, fennel, onions, tomato, rice flour, tamari, Madeira wine, thyme, parsley, rosemary

As he always does, Jerry sourced many of his ingredients from the MIFM’s farmers, including:

Photo Essay on Apples at the Mercer Island Farmers Market

For the past month, the farmers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market have been bringing dozens of varieties of tree fruit. As the photo essay that we did on the variety of cucumbers at the MIFM generated a number of responses, we thought that another photo essay, this one showing the abundance of apples, would help to demonstrate the bounty of the region and the enormous range of produce available at at the MIFM.

Akane apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Akane apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Early Cortland apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Early Cortland apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Early Gold apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Early Gold apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Gala apples from Martin Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Gala apples from Martin Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Ginger Gold apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Ginger Gold apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Golden Supreme apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Golden Supreme apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Golden Sweet apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Golden Sweet apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Gravenstein apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Gravenstein apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Honey Crisp apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Honey Crisp apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Jonamac apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Jonamac apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

McIntosh apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

McIntosh apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Mollie's Delicious apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Mollie's Delicious apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

NYB 298 (sic) apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

NYB 298 (sic) apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Prima apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Prima apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

St. Edmund's Pippin apple from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

St. Edmund's Pippin apple from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Sugar Crisp apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Sugar Crisp apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

September 4th Mercer Island Farmers Market Vendor News

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We heard from several of the Mercer Island Farmers Market farmers, who have specials or first-of-the-season produce for this holiday weekend’s market day on Sunday.

Collins Family Orchard, Selah, WA

Nick helping out customers with his usual good humor and smile at the Collins Family Orchard booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 28, 2011.

Nick helping out customers with his usual good humor and smile at the Collins Family Orchard booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 28, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Nick let us know that Collins will have the first honey crisp apples of the season this Sunday. He told us that “the honey crisps are [Collins'] most popular apple with both a satisfying crunch and not-too-tart flavor for eating fresh and a solid, not-too-sweet flavor for cooking.”

In addition, Collins will also have a second round of strawberries.

Those Mercer Island Farmers Market customers now almost addicted to Collins’ sweet and succulent peaches and nectarines need have no fear as both will be back on Sunday with new varieties. Nick’s personal favorite peach, the Diamond Princess— “especially for cooking and canning with a very strong flavor”—should be available along with Suncrest peaches. The Grand Sweet nectarines should also be ready on Sunday.

Nick left us with one last tantalizing thought… “You should have your fingers crossed for pluots to ripe by Sunday. Right now, I’d give them an 80% chance of being ripe enough.” Well, let’s all keep our fingers crossed so the pluots will ripen and be at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on Sunday.

Crown S Ranch, Winthrop, WA

Jennifer Argraves and her daughter, Icel, laughing at a customers joke at the Crown S Ranch booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 14, 2011.

Jennifer Argraves and her daughter, Icel, laughing at a customer's joke at the Crown S Ranch booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 14, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

In honor of the Labor Day holiday weekend—and all of the barbecuing that many us will be doing, Crown S Ranch is having a 25%-off special on their top sirloin steaks.

They also sent along two recipes for their top sirloin steaks: Pepper-Grilled Steak with Chopped Summer Salad (Bon Appétit, August 2009); and Sirloin Steak with Tomato and Cilantro Sauce (Bon Appétit, June 2001).

In addition to their steaks and other cuts of beef, Crown S Ranch will have their sausages, chicken, pork, and eggs.

Farmers Market Preserves, Seattle, WA

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, talking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on June 26, 2011.

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, talking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on June 26, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

Rome writes, “I’ve been experimenting again, and the result is Blueberry Jam with Ginger. These are the best canning blueberries I’ve found (they’re from Whitehorse Meadows Farm) and the ginger fits really well. Also this week more Peach Butter, and, by popular demand, Strawberry, Basil and Balsamic [Jam].”

For the past several weeks, the “magic” word to get a dollar off of our your first jar of jam from Farmers Market Preserves has been scientific or somewhat-obscure cultural references (“drupe,” “theobromine,” “Chekhov,”…). Well, this week Rome went in a completely different direction—popular culture—and picked “Domino,” no doubt due to Fats Domino‘s famous song and the blueberries that have been occupying his thoughts and time this past week.

So, all those customers out there interested in a discount on delicious jam made from fresh, local ingredients should try to work “Domino” into their conversation with Rome on Sunday. It might also be that singing a few lines from “Blueberry Hill” will get the discount as well.

Got Soup?, Seattle, WA

Jerry Baxter, owner Got Soup?, filling up a quart container with fresh soup for a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011.

Jerry Baxter, owner Got Soup?, filling up a quart container with fresh soup for a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

Jerry writes, “As we are into another three-season weather week, this might change what we sell this weekend, meaning more cold soups.”

So, subject to a change in the weather, this week’s soups at the Mercer Island Farmers Market will be:

  • Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho (cold, vegan, and raw): tomato, cucumber, onion, fennel, yellow pepper, zucchini, tarragon, parsley, sherry wine vinegar, cayenne, paprika, olive oil
  • Watermelon Gazpacho (cold and vegan): watermelon, tomato, cucumber, onion, yellow pepper, green pepper, celery, cilantro, basil, jalapeno, white balsamic vinegar, orange juice.
  • Jerk Chicken with Black-Eyed Peas & Greens: chicken stock (water, chicken, onions, carrot, celery, tomato, parsley), black-eyed peas, onion, celery, peppers, chicken, collard greens, garlic, ginger, citrus juice, cilantro, thyme, tamari, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg
  • Crab Bisque: water, Dungeness crab, onion, carrots, celery, tomato, bay leaf, tarragon, butter, flour, sherry, heavy cream, milk
  • Cauliflower and Brie with Roasted Red Pepper (vegetarian): vegetable stock (onion, carrot, celery, tomato, parsley), cauliflower, onions, celery, garlic, brie, thyme, parsley, rice milk, red peppers, olive oil, chives

As he always does, Jerry sources much of the produce for his soups from the vendors at the Mercer Island Farmers Market. This week’s ingredients come from (among other local farms):

Two If By Seafood, Bristol Bay, Alaska and Seattle, WA

Shannon's dad, Ernie, talking with a customer at the Two If By Seafoods booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011.

Shannon's dad, Ernie—"holding down the fort" while his daughter was in Alaska fishing—talking with a customer at the Two If By Seafoods booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

After a long absence, Shannon Ford, captain of the Fishing Vessel Paul Revere and owner of Two If By Seafood, will be back at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on Sunday. Shannon has spent the past several months in Alaska catching all of the salmon that she sells at our farmers market, so she not only has lots of great fishing stories to tell, but also is eager to reconnect with her long-time customers. As aside, she jokingly related that she can’t wait to begin eating her fill of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are not easily available or reasonably priced in Bristol Bay. Well, at the Mercer Island Farmers Market we are sure that her fellow vendors will be able to satisfy her fresh veggie and fruit cravings.

In addition, Shannon dropped some hints that in the coming weeks she is planning to introduce a new product: smoked, candied salmon bellies, which are a delicacy in Alaska and not easily available here in the Lower 48.

(NOTE: Updated at 3:25 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011 with information about Shannon Ford and Two If By Seafood.)

August 28th Mercer Island Farmers Market Vendor News

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We have received updates from some of the vendors at the Mercer Island Farmers Market.

Crown S Ranch, Winthrop, WA

Jennifer Argraves of Crown S Ranch, Winthop, WA talking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on Opening Day 2011

Jennifer Argraves of Crown S Ranch, Winthop, WA talking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on Opening Day 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Earlier this week, the folks at Crown S Ranch sent out an email to their customers saying, “We unfortunately are not able to attend the MIFM this Sunday the 28th due to an unseasonal cold floating around here.  We will be at the market the following Labor Day weekend, Sunday the 4th.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  Let us know if we can bring anything special for you.”

We wish them all a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing them next weekend.

Farmers Market Preserves, Seattle, WA

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, talking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on June 26, 2011.

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, talking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on June 26, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, wrote: “This must be close to the height of the jam making season and I’ve got the stuff—plum, blueberry, cherry, blackberry, raspberry and variations of all them.” Rome also has a new Apricot Chutney as well as a new batch of Blackberry with Chili jam that he describes as “‘mas pequeno’ than the last batch.”

The “magic” word this Sunday is “drupe.” We’re guessing that that Rome has plums and apricots and peaches and nectarines and cherries on his mind. So anyone interested in getting a dollar off of their first jar of jam should use the word-of-the-week in conversation with Rome.

Got Soup?, Seattle, WA

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011.

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Jerry Baxter writes, “So with the weather dictating what soups we are making these weeks, we are trying a new strategy. You will probably see 6 soups, 3 hot and 3 cold. I think this may work; it is about choices isn’t it? So with our summer winding down and school starting, there’s a lot going on in the Family world. Here is something you do not have to worry about, dinner. Just take home one of our frozen soups, maybe pick up some salad stuff or some bread, easy dinner, go help the kids with their homework, or relax.”

This week’s soups are:

  • Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho (cold, vegan, and raw): tomato, cucumber, onion, fennel, yellow pepper, zucchini, tarragon, parsley, sherry wine vinegar, cayenne, paprika, olive oil
  • Cool Cucumber & Melon (cold and vegan): honeydew melon, cucumber, coconut milk, yogurt, mint, salt, white pepper. Garnish—chili oil
  • Sweet Corn and Cashew Chowder (cold and vegan): corn, onion, coconut milk, cashew, red pepper, basil, cilantro, parsley
  • Shrimp Etouffée: onion, shrimp, shrimp and fish stock (water, shrimp, fish, onion, celery, carrot, parsley) green pepper, tomato, celery, mushroom, garlic, milk butter, flour, cayenne, parsley, oregano, thyme
  • Coconut Curry with Chicken and Brown Rice: chicken stock (chicken, onion, celery, carrot, parsley) onion, carrots, mushroom, red pepper, brown rice, coconut milk, chicken, garlic, ginger, cilantro, lemon grass, gagangal, curry powder, red curry, paprika, turmeric

As always, Jerry has sourced many of his ingredients from farmers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market:

August 21st Mercer Island Farmers Market Vendor News

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We have lots of news from our vendors for this Sunday’s Mercer Island Farmers Market. The biggest news is that this Sunday one of the long-time vendors at the Mercer Island Farmers Market—Hooting Owl Granola—will have their last day at the MIFM for the rest of the season. While we are very sorry to see them go and look forward to their return next season, we are thrilled to welcome back long-time MI Farmers Market vendor Jones Creek Farm, who will be at the market for the first time this season.

Hooting Owl Granola, Issaquah, WA

Customers at the Hooting Owl Granola booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011.

Customers at the Hooting Owl Granola booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

This Sunday will be Hooting Owl Granola’s last day at the Mercer Island Farmers Market for this season.

After building their business to six Puget Sound farmers markets and retail sales at Metropolitan Markets, owners Beth and John will be taking a much-needed rest for the next several months.

Everyone at the Mercer Island Farmers Market wishes them the best and is looking forward to their return next season after they are refreshed and ready for new challenges.

Fans of Hooting Owl Granola should plan to stop by the booth to stock up on their favorite flavors.

Farmers Market Preserves, Seattle, WA

A customer at the Farmers Market Preserves booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011.

A customer at the Farmers Market Preserves booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

Farmers Market Preserves owner Rome Doherty continues his experiments with making spicy jam. This Sunday he will be bringing his latest creation—Blackberry with Thai Bird Chilies Jam. Rome like Jerry Baxter from Got Soup? always looks to source his ingredients from the MIFM vendors. For this jam, the blackberries are from Skagit Sun and the chili peppers are from Hedlin Family Farm.

The “magic” word this week to receive a dollar off of your first jar of jam is “theobromine,” which means that Rome must have spent a bit too much time in the kitchen making his popular Raspberry and Theo Chocolate Jam. So be sure to work “theobromine” somehow into your conversation with Rome this Sunday.

Got Soup?, Seattle, WA

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011.

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Jerry Baxter, owner of Got Soup?, writes:

Looks like a beautiful week coming, cool mornings and evenings with plenty of sun. Get out and enjoy the sunshine. I have a nice mix of soups this week, some are hot some are cold and some will work both ways. The asparagus can be eaten hot or cold. Etouffée can be easily changed to an entrée by adding a side of brown rice. The cauliflower can also be used as a sauce for a nice Thai dish. Hope you like.

This week’s soups are:

  • Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho (cold, raw, and vegan): tomato, cucumber, onion, fennel, yellow pepper, zucchini, tarragon, parsley, sherry wine vinegar, cayenne, paprika, olive oil
  • Shrimp Etouffée: onion, shrimp, shrimp and fish stock (water, shrimp, fish, onion, celery, carrot, parsley), green pepper, tomato, celery, mushroom, garlic, milk butter, flour, cayenne, parsley, oregano, thyme
  • Asparagus with Meyer Lemon and Dill (vegan): vegetable stock (onion, carrot, celery, tomato, parsley), asparagus, onions, shallots, olive oil, lemon, dill, pepper
  • Curried Cauliflower with Zucchini (vegan): vegetable stock (water, onion, carrot, celery, tomato, parsley), cauliflower, coconut milk (water & coconut extract), zucchini, onion, garlic, ginger, apple, garam masala, curry, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, cayenne, mint, cilantro
  • Cool Cucumber and Melon (vegan): honeydew melon, cucumber, coconut milk, yogurt, mint, lime, salt, white pepper. Garnish with chili oil

As always, Jerry has sourced much of his produce from the farmers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market. This week’s ingredients have from such MIFM farms as Full Circle Farm, Carnation, WA (onion, leek, fennel), Hedlin Family Farm, La Connor, WA  (cauliflower), Tonnemaker Family Orchard, Royal City, WA (dried chilies, peppers, zucchini), Kittitas Valley Greenhouse, Ellensburg, WA (tomatoes), and the River Farm Organic Produce, Ellensburg, WA (zucchini and melons), and Five Acre Farm, Coupeville, WA (zucchini).

Island Apiaries, Whidbey Island, WA

Kids searching for the queen bee in the bee hive at the Island Apiaries booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011.

Kids searching for the queen bee in the bee hive at the Island Apiaries booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by July 31, 2011)

David Neal and his bees will be back on Sunday for another MI Farmers Market. This week though the bees will not be located at his booth with their honey, but at “farm” next to the market that we are organizing for our youngest shoppers this weekend. The bees will be joining rabbits, goats, and hens that some of our neighbors keep here on Mercer Island.

For those interested in winning a free eight-ounce jar of honey, this week’s “secret” question is: “What means ‘rain’ when added to a clouds name?” Please remember that the question must be answered in person at the market and only the first correct answer wins the free jar of honey.

Jones Creek Farm, Sedro-Woolley, WA

Les Price holding a Mercer island Farmers Market cloth shopping bag at another area farmers market.

Les Price holding a Mercer island Farmers Market cloth shopping bag at another area farmers market. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Les Price, owner of Jones Creek Farm, will be coming to the Mercer Island Farmers Market for the first time this season. While he has been away for a year, the MI Farmers Market has always been close to Les’s heart; we were able to capture a quick photo of him earlier this season with one of our farmers market’s cloth shopping bags at another farmers market. Les, you have been close to our hearts too and we look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Les will be bringing his world-famous garlic and for the first time tomatoes. Those fans of his tree fruit will have to be patient for another week or two.

Parfait Artisan Organic Ice Cream, Seattle, WA

Customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market getting ice cream at Parfait's ice cream truck.

Customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market getting ice cream at Parfait's ice cream truck. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Due to a last minute change in schedule, Parfait Artisan Ice Cream will not be at the MI Farmers Market on Sunday.

No need to fear ice cream fans, Parfait will return next Sunday and Molly Moon Ice Cream will be at the market this Sunday.

Patty Pan Grill, Seattle, WA

Patty pan squash at the Tonnemaker Family Orchard booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011.

Patty pan squash at the Tonnemaker Family Orchard booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

Several customers have commented over the years to us about Patty Pan Grill’s name. For those unfamiliar with the patty pan squash, we have a photo of a basket full of them at the Tonnemaker Family Orchard’s booth earlier this season.

This Sunday, Patty Pan Grill is bringing a new product for our market and for them: beef tamales. This is a huge change for Patty Pan Grill; it is the first time that they are offering meat in their fifteen-year history. It is a big enough deal that the Seattle Times wrote an article about this momentous development.

Be sure to read the article about Patty Pan owner Dev Gartenstein’s change in thinking as well as to stop by their booth and try out their new beef tamales.

July 31st Mercer Island Farmers Market Vendor News

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The Mercer Island Farmers Market is so pleased that we will have a new vendor, Jacobs Creamery, joining the market on Sunday, July 31st. In other vendor news: unfortunately, Molly Moon Ice Cream will not be at the market again, but Parfait Artisan Organic Ice Cream will be; plus, we have product updates from Farmers Market Preserves and Got Soup.

Jacobs Creamery, Doty, WA

Jacobs Creamery will be bringing eggs, European-style cultured butter, plus cheeses including Cheddar, Gouda, and Jarlsberg.

In addition, they will be bringing their famous chocolate and vanilla puddings. The folks at Jacobs have this to say about their puddings:

We’re quite proud of the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ it elicits from those tasting it for the first (and sometimes second, third, or 40th) time. The vanilla version is made with cream and real Tahitian vanilla beans, and while we don’t want to brag, it’s equivalent to the best crème brûlée you’ve ever had. The chocolate has a rich, dreamy mousse-like texture that will have you licking the container clean. Please be forewarned that both flavors are highly addictive.

As the season develops, Jacobs will be bringing to the MIFM more of their product line, including cream cheese, crème fraîche, fromage blanc, crumbled mozzarella, ricotta, and yogurts.

Molly Moon Ice Cream, Seattle, WA

Customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market getting ice cream at Parfait's ice cream truck.

Customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market getting ice cream at Parfait's ice cream truck. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Unfortunately, this Sunday Molly Moon will be missing another market day due to a scheduling conflict. They should be returning to our market on August 14th after the MI Farmers Market’s break on August 7th due to SeaFair weekend.

Ice-cream fans, no need to fear as Parfait Artisan Organic Ice Cream will be at the MIFM. If you haven’t already, be sure to try what the editors of Sunset Magazine have called one of the best ice creams on the West Coast.

Farmers Market Preserves, Seattle, WA

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, Seattle, WA at his booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market.

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, Seattle, WA at his booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, clearly loves his work and his products.  He writes, “This is a great time of year to be a jam lover and I’ve got ‘em all. Last weekend, I had seven different strawberry jams, three or four [different] raspberries and a ton of Pie Cherry Jam. This week I’m adding blueberry from Skagit Sun farms and great organic blackberry from Hayton Farms. I have a few jars of loganberry as well.”

In honor of all of the different kinds of berry jams that Farmers Market Preserves has, Rome has selected “bramble“ as the “magic” word for this week. So, if customers would like a dollar off of their first jar of Farmers Market Preserves jam, they should be sure to work in the word-of-the-week into their conversation with Rome.

Got Soup?, Seattle, WA

A customer at the Got Soup? booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on June 26, 2011.

A customer at the Got Soup? booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on June 26, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

While most of the MI Farmers Market’s customers know that Jerry Baxter, owner of Got Soup?, changes the soups every week, what they might not know is that he might change the soups on market day depending on the weather. He writes, “So when the weather changes like it did last weekend I sometimes change the soups. I cannot sell hot soups on hot days, that’s why I changed over to cold soups…” So if Sunday turns out to be unexpectedly hot, Jerry will be bringing cold soups in place of this week’s soups. Either way, we always love his delicious soups, hot or cold.

This week’s soups are:

  • Orange & Cumin Sweet Potato (vegan)
  • Artichoke Paella (vegan)
  • Pork Pozole
  • North West Chowder
  • Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho (vegan & raw)

Got Soup? has sourced much of the produce in their soups from local farms including from such Mercer Island Farmers Market vendors as:

See you all at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on Sunday. We are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.