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The Yangs: Purveyors of Unique Asian Produce
photos and article by Jim Franck

Cha Yang and his wife Nina are on a mission... to introduce us to the best, and some of the unusual, in Laotian produce. As a mark of their success, they've gained a reputation within our Southeast Asian community of providing some hard-to-come-by prized foods like sesame leaves, phatoon, spring grape, lemon grass, and more.

It started out as a hobby - Cha works full-time at Springs Window Fashions in Middleton - but now involves the entire family for a good part of their week. They have farm plots near Belleville and Verona and vend at markets in Milwaukee and Waukesha.

Nina said they did their research before applying at our Market. They checked out all the local markets and decided that they liked the customer traffic and ambiance of the NFM best. The Yangs offer much more than the exotic. Their green beans, onions, shell peas, and much more are all excellent. Be sure to stop by and welcome the Yang family to our Market! And ask Nina about cooking tips for enjoying some of the finest produce Laos has to offer.

This week at Artisans Row...
The Hefty Family - Windswimmers fish art
Sheila Howe -Recycled Art (link)
Helen Mary Beck - Baskets, embroidery
Youa Lor -handmade bags, purses, clothing
Vicki Lane - Funky Bracelets (link)
Jean Mani - Soap, lotion, candles (link)

Market Report for June 28
photos and article by Chris Moore

One of the wonderful things about Farmers Markets is the variety of freshly picked produce you can find. I am not writing just about the standard fare, but about unique, relatively unknown vegetables. Take, for example, the garlic scapes brought to us by Keene Organics. Scapes are the flower stalks of some garlic plants. Keene Organics' garlic scape pesto (mixed with a little cream cheese to make a heavenly cracker spread) has become a market favorite! For recipes and other ways to use scapes, please visit their website (link).

Last week at the market we also saw snap peas, cilantro, epazote, romaine lettuce, scallions, garlic, red spinach, tomatoes, strawberries and asparagus. New produce included baby French green onions, an ocean of potatoes (Yukon gold, red Pontiac), and zucchini with the flower attached.

Looking into the crystal ball, next week brings the possibility of sweet corn, cabbage, celery (which is trying hard to mature), cauliflower, broccoli (growing fast) and yellow, purple and green beans.

And lastly, if you happen to be mulling about mulberries - about where to find them - don't worry: Peg from Earthrise Farms has some frozen mulberries for you.

During the market we saw our own White House Farmer Clare Strader from Troy Gardens demonstrate the use of a hula hoop for the Hula Hoop House Fundraiser to help raise funds to build a greenhouse.

Finally, let me paint you a picture of the experience at the NFM last week: Imagine sitting at our community table with a cinnamon roll or chocolate chip scone from Dolci baked goods in one hand, milk from Blue Marble Dairy in the other, listening to music from a live classical music quartet, and enjoying a beautiful Madison day. What more could one want!?

Celebrate Independence Day with Your Friends at the NFM

Scheduled for Sunday, July 5th

9am - noon: Brats & hot dogs for sale.

10am - 11am: Sing along and celebrate the red, white and blues of our nation's unique musical heritage with local musician John Duggleby. Duggleby covers All-American classics, including Stephen Foster, George M. Cohan, Bruce Springsteen and Chuck Berry. Singing along is not only permitted, but encouraged!

Reminder: Vote in the "Love Your Farmers Market" contest

Visit the Care2 website (link) this summer and vote for your favorite farmers market - the NFM! Markets receiving votes are entered in weekly prize drawings with a top prize of $5,000 for the market with the most votes this summer. Click on the link above, vote, and read all the great comments left by voters!

The contest is sponsored by Local Harvest and Care2.

Material originally published in the Local Harvest Newsletter, June 23, 2009

Strawberry season waning...
by Lynette Jandl

A couple of NFM vendors report that they are still picking nice strawberries, so if you haven't gotten your fill this season, you'll probably be able to get some on Sunday!

Roasted Red Potatoes with Fennel

Ingredients
1 lb Baby Red Potatoes
5 cloves garlic
1 fennel bulb, julienned
1/4 tsp sea salt
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400.

2. Wash potatoes and chop into quarters. Do not peel.

3. Combine potatoes, garlic, fennel bulb, and sea salt in a large bowl.

4. Drizzle with virgin oil and toss until potatoes are well coated.

5. Place potatoes on a cookie sheet and salt/pepper lightly, if desired.

6. Bake until fork tender, about 30 minutes.