It’s hard to believe that it’s already August. The summer harvest is catching up after the wet cold spring. Corn is starting to come into the markets as are tomatoes.

Oregon Farmers Market Week runs August 2-8 this year. Do you have a friend or neighbor who hasn’t visited a market? Take them with you when you come to our market or any other market and introduce them to Oregon’s Bounty.

National Neighbors Night Out is also happening this week. Most SW Portland neighborhoods have something scheduled. Check with your neighborhood association if you want to participate. Don’t know what neighborhood association you are in? Call the SWNI office at 503-823-4592 and someone will be happy to help you.

See you Sunday,

Eamon Molloy
Market Manager

What’s Coming To The Market This Week?


Peaches and nectarines will be plentiful this weekend. Cherries (sweet and sour) will be plentiful too. You will find plenty of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, marionberries and blackberries.

Tomatoes will be available, mostly Oregon Star, Early Girl and Stiletz. You should find some cherry tomatoes as well. Onions, garlic, beets, and carrots should be plentiful. Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, kale and chard will be readily available.

Check the availability list (link) for the complete list of who’s coming this weekend and what they expect to be selling. The list is posted Thursday afternoon and updated through the weekend. For Sunday morning updates, check Twitter feed either on our website sidebar or on our Twitter page.

IN
Ancient Heritage Dairy
Ayers Creek Farm
The Brownie Farm
Nonna’s Noodles
Red Dragon Nursery

OUT
Bigfoot Bread (back next week)
Blossom Vinegars (back next week)
Full of Life Farm (back next week)
Kookoolan Farms (back August 29)

Cooking Ideas – Zucchini Ribbon Pasta

Here’s a great summer recipe from Caroline Cummins and found on Culinate.com. Enjoy!

Zucchini Ribbon Pasta
(by Caroline Cummins and published on Culinate.com)

Ingredients
1 lb. dried flat pasta, such as linguine or fettucine
1 lb. fresh zucchini
~ Olive oil
1 tsp. red-pepper flakes
½ medium onion, diced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
½ cup toasted pine nuts
½ cup soft chèvre
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 cup thinly sliced basil leaves
½ cup thinly sliced flat-leaf parsley leaves
~ Salt and pepper, to taste

Steps
Fill a large stockpot with water and add salt. Bring to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook until al dente, then drain. Return the pasta to the empty stockpot.

Meanwhile, slice off the ends of the zucchini and discard. Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise, then run the flat sides of the zucchini halves across the single blade of a mandoline, so that the zucchini is being sliced into paper-thin ribbons. Stack the ribbons and slice in half lengthwise, then slice in half heightwise.

Heat a few tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the red-pepper flakes and the onion and cook for a few minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another minute or so. Add the zucchini and stir to coat (add more olive oil if necessary), then add half of the chicken broth. Turn up the heat to medium-high and cook for a few minutes, until the zucchini is just barely cooked.

Add the zucchini mixture to the pasta and add the remaining ½ cup chicken broth. Cook over medium heat until the liquid is mostly absorbed, about five to 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, pine nuts, and chèvre, and cook and stir until the chèvre has melted and turned glossy.
Serve with the Parmesan, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper as garnishes.

printable version can be found here (link)

2010 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ Contest

It’s back! American Farmland Trust’s America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest for 2010 has kicked into gear and we need your votes to win! As of July 28, 2010 the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market is in first place in Oregon!

The process is simple. To vote for our market, all you have to do is:
1.) Go to www.farmland.org/vote
2.) Type in Hillsdale Farmers’ Market and,
3.) Click “Vote”
That’s it!

The purpose of this contest is to re-connect local consumers to local farms, with the ultimate goal of keeping our nation’s farm and ranch land productive and healthy! Buying at the farmers market keeps money in the local community and helps farms and ranches remain economically viable. By voting, you’re helping support farms and communities across the nation. As American Farmland Trust says, “No Farms No Food™!”
So don’t forget to vote for Hillsdale Farmers’ Market at www.farmland.org/vote and spread the word!

Neighborhood News & Events

Nourishing Neighbors Nourishing Neighbors is a group of volunteers who work together throughout the year to help Neighborhood House’s Emergency Food Box Program. We will be at the Farmers Market this weekend collecting food and/or donations as well as sharing information about this much needed program. There is always room at the table for more Nourishing Neighbors! Stop by to say hello and find out how you can help, or contact us at nourishingneighbors(at)gmail.com.

Food Front Hillsdale holds its Market Day at Food Front every market Sunday. From 9am-12, there are samples of seasonal fruits, local yogurt and granola. Local food artisans will be sampling in the store from 12-3.