What’s good this week?
My love affair with leeks began when I cooked Potato and Leek Soup from a recipe in Don Dunstan’s Cookbook (Don was a former premier of South Australia many, many years ago). I have continued to use leeks in so many different ways ever since. They are still a favourite. Saute leeks with your favourite herbs and add to any dish for extra flavor.
Saute leeks with fresh with fennel (available at the market now) or fennel seeds or mustard seeds (or even finely chopped fresh mustard leaves). This combination makes a wonderful side dish for lamb, beef, fish and chicken. It also tastes great as a side dish for frittatas and quiches. 
In this warmer weather I love leeks in vichyssoise, a cold soup made from puréed cooked leeks and potatoes. Of course lashings of fresh cream re essential for me!
And did you know that leeks can be frozen for up to 3 months. So stock up now and don’t leave them to lanquish unappreciated.
Leeks are available at Sylva Lining Organic Farm Stall, Cecil Farm and Jumping Red Ant.
Beetroot are still at their peek so whether you
roast them whole or used them raw they are full of flavor as well as delivering vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. As the bbc Good Food blog says they are a “health-food titan”. As well as being rich in fibre their deep crimson plant pigment is from betacyanin which is believed to provide some significant health benefits.
If you love beetroot and almonds then you will love the Beetroot, Mint and Almond dip that Spice Palace has at this time of year. Be early though. I have missed out recently as it is selling early in the morning.
Lani at the BAGEL Stall offers a beautifully refreshing Lemon Myrtle and Sparkling Apple juice to keep you cool on these hot spring days.
Blueberries are at the market every week now so rock along for your weekly supply.
Stallholder Update: Local Fusion Foods are back this week.
Recipe of the week: Rocket, feta, pecan and beetroot salad.
Ingredients:
- A good sized bunch of rocket and other mixed salad greens (I love to include torn coriander, mint and cos)
- Half a large beetroot cubed
- one orange
- A good handful of pecans
- Goat’s feta (2 chunks from Nimbin Valley Goat’s Feta) or their ‘smooth cow’ cow feta
Method:
Tear rocket and other greens (as desired) into a bowl
Roast small cubes of beetroot in coconut oil and when slightly cooled add to the greens.
Add orange segments cut into pieces.
Toss lightly then dress this with a citrus/olive oil dressing and crumble feta over the top and sprinkle with slightly broken pecans.
Simply divine!
Entertainment: Rob Csokas
There are lots of hot and cold drinks available every week so relax, enjoy the beautiful music and some refreshments.
Weather: Mostly sunny day. Overnight temperatures falling to around 13 with daytime temperatures reaching high 30 – 34 degrees so come prepared for a warm day.
Produce of the week (newest season produce is in bold):
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Beans
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Cabbages
- Capsicum
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Corn
- Cos lettuce
- Cucumbers (Lebanese)
- Custard apples
- Fancy lettuce
- Fennel
- Leafy greens – lots of varieties including herbs, kale, swiss chard and many more.
- Lemons
- Mandarins
- Passionfruit
- Potatoes (various)
- Red Papaya
- Sweet potatoes
- Sprouts
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Taro
- Swedes
Seasonal Produce List Updated:
Vegetables
Beans (+organic),Beetroot (+organic), Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Chard (organic), Chilli, Cucumber (+organic), Corn (+organic), Eggplant (+organic), Garlic (+organic), Herbs (basil + organic basil, coriander, fennel, ginger, rocket, turmeric and more), Kale (+organic), Lettuce (cos organic), Fancy Lettuce and mixed salad greens, Micro greens (+ wide variety of organic such as alfalfa, barley greens, sunflower, broccoli, chick pea), Peas incl snow peas (+organic), Mizuna, Onion (+organic), Mushrooms, Pak Choi (organic), Potato (Sebago) ,Potatoes (kipfler ++), Pumpkin (+organic), Salad Mix, Silver Beet, Sprouts (+organic), Spinach (+organic), Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato (+organic), Tatsoi (organic) Swedes, Tomatoes (+organic), Taro, Watercress, Wheat grass, Zucchini (+organic).
Fruit
Apples, Avocados, Bananas (Cavendish, Lady Fingers (organic also) and Little Gem), Blueberries, Carambola (star fruit), Custard apples, Dragon Fruit, Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwi fruit (organic), Lemons + Limes (incl organic), Mangoes, Mandarin (organic), Oranges (organic), Passionfruit, Paw Paw, Pears, Rock melons, Strawberries, Watermelons.
Flowers
Gerberas, Lisianthus, Roses,
Eggs – including organic
Nuts – Macas and pecans, nut oils, butters and choc coated nuts
Dairy
Cows milk, cheeses and yoghurt, kefir, cultured butter ++
Goats milk and soft cheeses, kefir
Honey
Raw unprocessed honey, creamed honey and creamed honey with cinnamon! And bees wax candles.
Rice and Breads
A variety of artisan sour dough breads baked with a range of organic flours (including spelt and rye) and flavours that use local market products including macadamia nut bread!
Meat
Beef, lamb and pork (All Natural Meat Company) and goat, Salami (Nimbin Valley Diary) periodically. + lamb and chicken sourced within the broader market radius and locally caught fish 9very seasonal).
