Are you looking for locally grown and pressed oil? Well be sure to check out this new vendor! Camelina is a member of the brassica family (think cauliflower) and its seeds can be pressed into oil - one that is not only high in Omega 3's, but also has a high smoke point (475*), which makes it good for sautéing, frying, or for use in stir frys. Ole World Oils grows their camelina in Eastern Washington and use it as a rotation crop with wheat. They use dry land farming techniques, and harvest using a combine fitted with a special head because the seeds are so small. In fact it takes 35 lbs of seed to make 1 gallon of oil! The oil has a very mild flavor and can be used in place of other vegetable oils - so in addition to cooking, use it in salad dressings, vinaigrettes or marinades.

Sweet Onions

Come by and grab a bunch of sweet onions! These onions are more mild and are sweeter than the "regular" storage onion. In fact, these are a great 2-fer - not only is the bulb delicious, but you can use the tops in salads, stir frys, or as a garnish. Or you can simply cut them in half, and grill them with the tops intact. These are also wonderful roasted with asparagus or potatoes - either the bulb, tops or both!

 

ProFarm Produce 

Nothing says spring in the Northwest quite like fresh asparagus and ProFarm has plenty! Who can resist grilled asparagus tossed in olive oil and salt? Or lightly steamed with lemon and butter? Yum! Did you know that asparagus is a perennial? The first crop is harvested 1 year after planting and then it grows for years after that. Another little known fact - as the asparagus plant gets older, the stalks are thicker - so thinner stalks simply mean a younger plant - not harvested "sooner," as commonly thought. ProFarm only harvests their plants for 5 years and then they replant. Also look for pickled asparagus - both in "hot" and "regular" varieties.

 
Handmade Tortilla Chips and Salsas
Hot Mama Salsa 

Be sure and stop by to sample these hand crafted salsas. This whole idea was inspired by a family recipe called Grandma's Chilie - which is available for sampling or purchase, along with many others. Nikki Guerrero works with a farmer on Sauvie's Island, who grows chilies, tomatillos, and tomatoes specifically for Hot Mama Salsa. Nikki goes out to the farm weekly to harvest the produce and makes the various salsas fresh every week. In addition to great salsa, Nikki makes hand made corn chips from GMO-free white corn! Check them out online at hotmamasalsapdx.com and check Facebook for recipes!

 
New Potatos
Sweet Leaf Farm 

Who can resist the new potato? These potatoes are harvested before the skin is hard and the tops of the plant die off. They can be harvested at anytime during the year, but are most often seen in the spring. They are delicious roasted or steamed, but would also make a wonderful potato salad. In fact, combine them with some spring onions and asparagus, either in a salad or stir fry, for a wonderful farmers market dish bursting with spring favors!