balsamic vinegar

LABOR OF LOVE

Labor Day weekend is here and whether you're barbecuing, picnicking or just partying the North Park Farmers market has all the traditional and some of the not-so-traditional holiday food faves. Why not give your favorite summertime lemonade made with lemons from John Gilruth or Paradise Valley Ranch a new twist by adding Hillside Family farms' passion fruit. Try adding a sharp Firehouse Jack from Springhill to your Da-Le Ranch ground beef burger or top your veggie burger with some cool tzatziki from Baba Foods. Kick your "tried and true" salsa to the curb and make some peach salsa with the sweetest  peaches of the season from Smit Orchards or R& L Farms.Tired of your old sides? Dip grilled okra from Suzie's in your favorite Bitchin' Sauce. Layer JR Organics strawberries with fresh goat cheese from Nicolau Farms and Safari Crunch granola. 

Of course there's always room for some traditions and Labor Day would not be the same without corn from Kawano farms and watermelon from the Produce Stand, JR Organics or Valdivia farms.  Whatever you do with your day, the North Park Farmer's market wishes you a happy and delicious holiday!

Have you heard that eggplants have arrived at the North Park Farmers market?  Often ignored or overlooked, we think that the eggplant is a majestic vegetable that just don't get no respect!   Native to India,  the eggplant has been cultivated since the beginning of their  historical record keeping.  It's so versatile that almost every culture worldwide has adopted it as reflected by the numerous tasty eggplant dishes prepared around the world from baingan bharta served in India, to baba ghanoush served in the Middle-East, to moussaka served in Greece, to aubergine parmigiana (a.k.a. eggplant parmesan) served in Italy, to beer-battered deep fried eggplant fritters served in Georgia, USA. 
We discovered the Rosa Bianca, also known as a Sicilian eggplant, last year and it instantly got our respect!  Available at Suzie's, this heirloom varietal, is sweet, fleshy and a lot less bitter than most other varieties. It also has a minimal amount of seeds,  making it perfect for grilling, baking and for just about anything that requires eggplant.  Slice it thinly,  sprinkle with olive oil and thyme from Thyme Essence,  grill the slices,smear on some of Nicolau's fresh goat chevre,  roll them up, top with chopped heirloom tomatoes from JR Organics and drizzle with Gianni's balsamic vinegar.   We think that you'll be giving the eggplant its due props!

A MARVELOUS MARKET SALAD

Candy sweet and juicy strawberries, the spicy kick of arugula and green onions, creamy avocados and crunchy almonds. This is one of my favorite springtime salad combinations and a perfect addition to your table this weekend.

Here's how you do it. Pick up a bag of arugula from Sage Mountain, their spinach or spring mix would be fantastic here as well and toss it lightly with a basic vinaigrette using Bistro Blends Fig Balsamic vinegar and equal parts olive oil. Put it in a wide bowl and top with sliced strawberries and a few thinly sliced green onions from JR Organics. Add to that a diced avocado from Paradise Valley and a handful of coarsely chopped honey vanilla roasted almonds from Hopkins Ag. Sunflower sprouts or pea shoots from Suzie's Farm are also a nice addition. Or, consider substituting Nicolau Farm's fresh chevre in place of the avocados for a tangy rendition.

IN SUPPORT OF THE BEE

Sweet, sticky, gooey; it's all about honey. The bees are a buzzin', busy pollinating plants and taking the sweet nectar of flowers back to the hive to make this all natural treat. It's flora and fauna working in perfect synergy. Get your honey fix at Heritage Family Farms, who offer both local honey and granules of bee pollen, and every other Saturday at Impeccable Taste.

A drizzle over your favorite blue from Taste Cheese takes your cheese plate to a whole new level. Roast your root vegetables from Vang Farms and Sage Mountain by tossing them with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar from Thyme of Essence and a spoonful of honey. It's also tasty swirled into your morning bowl of yogurt and granola from Scratch. There's even an old wives tale that says a little dose of local honey a day can help fight seasonal allergies, so long as it's raw and unfiltered (raw, unfiltered honey contains small amounts local pollen, the culprit behind hay fever).

From the hard working bees that make it possible to the phenomenal pairings you can create with foods, we're just crazy about this nature made treat. Buy local honey and support local honey bees.