Southern Village Marketplace

This may be the last of the Strawberries, so be sure to come by the Market today for this fleeting springtime treat.  Enjoy a free sample of our ‘Joyful Cooks’ recipe of  the week, Kale & Strawberry Salad, buy the ingredients at the Market, and try it yourself, using our recipe:

KALE & STRAWBERRY SALAD
1 Bunch Kale, stalks & ribs removed, leaves thinly sliced*
1 Lemon, juiced
¼ Cup Olive Oil, plus extra for drizzling
Kosher Salt, to taste
2 teaspoons Honey
Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
1 Cup Sliced Strawberries*
Small Handful Toasted Sliced Almonds

Directions:
In large serving bowl, add the kale, half of lemon juice, a drizzle of oil, and a little bit of salt.  Massage until the kale begins to wilt, 2-3 minutes (Don’t skip this step.) Set aside while you make the dressing.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining lemon juice, honey & black pepper.  Stream in the olive oil while whisking until dressing emulsifies.

Pour dressing over the kale, add the strawberries & almonds, toss & serve.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Can add or substitute fresh spinach, blueberries.

This week, we’ll have the first of the spring peaches!  Shopalso for cakes & scones, shrimp, fish, beef, pork, eggs, fresh-made crepes, strawberries,the first of the tomato crop, salad greens, kale, chard & other greens, sugar snap peas, English peas, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, squash, cukes, herbs, onions, floral bouquets, lavender products, beer & more!

Find the following vendors at the Market this week:

Big Bundts & More (R)

Brinkley Farms (R)

Carolina Brewery Selling cans and growlers of their popular, locally-brewed beers in many of their signature brews (N)

Cates Corner Farm Strawberries, the first of the 2012 tomatoes, greens & other veggies, farm-raised tilapia (R)

Eco Farm Strawberries, veggies, flowers, mushrooms (R)

Johnson’s Peaches-Fresh Peaches from Montgomery County, NC

Laurent Lavender Farm–Fresh lavender, dried lavender, lavender plants & hand-made gifts (N)

Lookout Seafood–“Captain” Phil Campbell with Shrimp, Flounder and some surprises from the N.C. coast (R)

McAdams Farm (R) Strawberries, Flowers, Tomatoes, Veggies

Parlez Vous Crepe (R) Delicious hot crepes to enjoy immediately

RambleRill Farm Veggies, small fruit & mushrooms (R)

Rocky Run Farm All types of veggies & herbs (N)

This and That Jam–jams & preserves made from fresh local produce, plus canning workshops (N)

Valley View Farm (Beef) (R)

Last week’s Market was a lively event.  We were happy to see so many of our customers from last year, plus some new faces.  We welcomed back many vendors from last year, plus a few new ones, and were offered a dazzling array of fresh produce, including succulent strawberries.

This week, you’ll find lots of Mothers Day gifts from Laurent Lavender, selling fragrant & soothing dried lavender products, and from Swanfire Farm, selling goats milk soaps & body care products, plus jewelry and art glass.  Be sure to pick up a stunning floral bouquet from McAdams Farm or Eco Farm, plus find all of the ingredients you need for a Mothers Day brunch (eggs, sausage, strawberries, scones & more) or dinner (fresh pasta, pizza dough, salad ingredients, cakes, brownies & more)

Come to the market to find Strawberries, Sugar Snap Peas, Lettuces & Mixed Greens, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Kale, Herbs, Turnips, Radishes, Tatsoi, Spinach, Bok Choy, Brocolli, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Beets, Garlic, Eggs, Pork & Beef Products, Farm-Raised Tilapia Collards, Pasta, Cakes & Scones, Hand-Crafted Goats Milk Soap, Floral Bouquets, Lavender Products, Beer, Crepes, and some surprises. The following vendors will be at the Market this week:

Big Bundts & More Fresh baked bundt cakes, brownie bundt bites & scones(R)

Carolina Brewery selling cans & growlers (N)

Cates Corner Farm Strawberries, veggies, farm-raised tilapia, pumpkins and pumpkin painting in season (R)

Eco Farm Strawberries, veggies, flowers, mushrooms (R)

Hillsborough Cheese Company (R)

Laurent Lavender Farm–Fresh lavender, dried lavender, lavender plants & hand-made gifts (N)

Lookout Seafood–“Captain” Phil Campbell will bring in Shrimp, Flounder and some surprises (including a new, bright green truck) from the N.C. coast (R)

McAdams Farm (R) Strawberries, Floral Bouquets and a wide array of Lettuces and other Veggies

Parlez Vous Crepe (R) Delicious hot crepes to enjoy immediately.  This will be Jody’s first day back at the Market this year, and she’ll be featuring the May Crepe of the Month, hickory-smoked ham or tofurky deli slices, local baby chard and homi zi (a spicy Asian green), Swiss cheese, and homemade honey-mustard sauce.

Porcino of Carrboro Fresh Pasta.  This will be the first day at Market for the Porcino ladies. (N)

RambleRill Farm Veggies, small fruit & mushrooms (R)

Rocky Run Farm All types of veggies & herbs (N)

Swanfire Farm All natural, hand-crafted goats milk soaps & shampoo bars, art glass & other hand-crafted items (R)

Sweet Cedar Farm Eggs from free range chickens (R)

(R) is a vendor returning from previous years, (N) is a new vendor this year.

In addition to great produce, farm products, crafts & fresh crepes, remember to visit us for Farmer Foodshare, KidsZone and our Master Gardener table.  Our ‘Joyful Cook’ will present Strawberry Water, a refreshing strawberry beverage also known as Agua de Frutas.  Here’s the recipe, if you want to try this at home:

AGUA DE FRUTAS
Ingredients
4 cups strawberries, sliced*
1 cup white sugar
8 cups cold water
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges (optional)
8 fresh mint sprigs* (optional)

* Available at Farmers Market

Directions
1. In a medium bowl, mix together sliced strawberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
2. Remove strawberry mixture from refrigerator and pour into a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Pour blended berry mixture through a wire mesh strainer set over a large mixing bowl; discard pulp and seeds.
3. Add the remaining 7 cups cold water to the pureed strawberries and mix well. Place the Aqua de Fruta in the refrigerator to chill for several hours or pour over ice and serve immediately. Garnish with lime slices or mint leaves.