Sick of hearing about the bloody global economic meltdown yet? A visitor from outer space could be forgiven for thinking the sky is falling.

It's not, of course. In fact it's nice and shiny in our neck of the woods right now - so take heart and remember the good news. Like the fact that the village idiot has left the White House (nearly). And our banks are apparently slightly less stupid than American banks. And it's berry, baking, booze and beach season. See? Meltdown, schmeltdown.

What's more, the Clevedon Village Farmers' Market is booming. We turned three last month and we're chuffed to report that our selection of top quality, fresh-to-you goods expands with every passing birthday. This summer, we're welcoming several new stallholders and the return of old friends with seasonal produce.

Of course, we wouldn't have grown and prospered without the support of you, our loyal shoppers. Thanks again for making us a part of your busy lives. We wish you all a warm, happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

'Twas the morning before Christmas…
Stock up on fresh, delicious goodies just when you need them - Christmas Eve, at our regular spot from 8.30am till 12.00 midday. Please also note that we will be closed  on December 31. Our schedule gets back to normal on Sunday, January 11.

Basket case
Give a taste of Clevedon this Christmas with a scrumptious market hamper. These are full of tempting treats grown and made in the Auckland region - so as well as giving a wonderful gift, you'll be supporting local producers and avoiding carbon-heavy food miles. Hampers can either be picked up from the market or delivered for a minimal extra charge (dependent on delivery address).
To order or for more information, please email helen@clevedonfarmersmarket.co.nz or phone 021 523 616 by December 15.

Keeping it real
Clevedon Lions Club have become a festive fixture at the market with their fragrant real Christmas trees. This year, they'll be offering their wares from November 30 until December 21 - remember, proceeds are used to do all sorts of good things in our communities. Santa would be pleased.

Natural selections
Getting back to nature this summer? Along with pitching your tent well away from engineering students, gaggles of single women, very young children and, um, students in general, consider the following handy camping tips:

• Pack comfortable bedding – sheets that can be aired in the sun and duvets to snuggle under rather than gritty, restrictive sleeping bags.
  
• A length of muslin or light canvas tied to bamboo poles makes the perfect shady bower under which to read a book or gaze at an azure sea.
  
• Cover your bases and shell out the extra dosh for a good quality, decent-sized tent. Take a pack of cards, too.
  

RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Celebration Market Salad

This salad of spring vegetables is the perfect way to celebrate 3 years of farm fresh produce at the Clevedon Village Farmers Market.
Serves 8

Ingredients

• 250gm Asparagus 10 small basil leaves torn
  
• 1 bunch of broccolini 1 red salad onion thinly sliced
  
• 8 hard boiled free range eggs 1 small cucumber
  
• 2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes 2 bunches of baby carrots - scrubbed
  
• 120gm of mixed salad leaves 1 bunch of radishes
  
• 15 broad bean pods 1 bunch of baby beetroot
  
• A few sprigs of flat leaf parsley and tarragon finely chopped

Dressing

• 1/4 cup River Estate olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of Wild Bee honey
  
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
  
• Salt and pepper

Bring a pan of water to the boil turn down the heat and simmer the beetroot until tender, peel and cut into quarters. Bring another small pan of water to the boil turn down the heat and simmer baby carrots until just tender. In a large pot bring plenty of water to the boil.

Snap woody ends from the asparagus spears and cook in boiling water for 1 to 2 mins or until the spears are just tender then fill a large basin with ice and water and blanch. Repeat for the brocolini and the broad beans. Once the broad beans are cool enough to handle use a sharp knife to split the skin and pop out the bright green bean.
Shell the eggs and slice in half lengthways. Cut the cucumber into 6cm wedges. Cut the radishes into quarters.
Whisk dressing ingredients to combine.

Arrange the spring vegetables on a platter or individual plates. Drizzle over the dressing and serve

CLEVEDON VILLAGE FARMERS' MARKET VENDORS & PRODUCE

• Anthony's Tomatoes - tomatoes that taste like tomatoes
  
• Soggy Bottom Holdings - purveyors of rare breed free-range meats
• Sunset Coast Organics - organic fruit, vegetables and herbs
• Holmbrook Produce – chutney jams, mustards, pickles
• Clevedon Animal Farm - pony rides for the kids
• Bentru - smoked specialty meats and sausages; traditional prosciutto

• Early market morning - Clevedon

  Hamlin Nursery - garden plants
• Blueberry Deli - blueberries
• Clevedon Valley Cheese - artisan cheese
• Piako Pete - wet fish; smoked fish & eel
• Pasta La Vista – Fresh Artisan Pasta
• Pacific Skye - seasonal fruit; fruit juice
• Wild Bee - fresh local bush & field honey
• Cuconics - telegraph cucumbers
• Salmonman - hot smoked salmon cured in a variety of ways
• Heart of the Globe - Highland beef products; artichokes
• Running Brook Seeds - quality heritage flower and vegetable seeds
• Wild Wheat - artisan bakers of traditional and sourdough breads
• Paella Pan - traditional paella cooked on-site; fresh crepes
• I Love Pies – handmade pies with an NZ flavour
• Limes on the Firth - fresh limes; cooking demonstrations 10-11am
• Bruntwood Farm - asparagus and berry fruit
• Hungarian Twisters - Kurtos Kalacs traditional Hungarian pastries
• Alison's Pony & Trap Rides - pony & trap rides for kids and adults
• Willow Brook - lavender products; Iris plants and lavender
• Tulip Pastries - Dutch handmade cookies and dough logs
• Zakar - BioGro beef cuts; premium beef mince and sausages
• Broccolini - broccolini
• Strawberry Corner- fresh strawberries
• Mandeville Gardens - native plants
• Sweet Art - cakes and chocolates
• Nature's Corner - free-range eggs
• Estuary Orchards – Citrus
• Clevedon Village Caterers - Cornish pasties and quality baking
• Alvita - fresh & roasted nuts
• Pilgrim's - organic lamb
• Clevedon Proteas - Proteas and Waratahs
• Blackwood's Gourmet Breads - freshly-made bagels and flatbreads
• Waiuku River Wines - red & white wines, verjuice
• Fancy Lettuce - lettuce; spinach; living herbs
• Market Espresso - great coffee and refreshments
• River Estate - premium olive oils and table olives
• Dullumbunda Farm - fruit; vegetables and herbs
• Hungarian Deli - traditional air-dried meats and sausages
• Clevedon Cuisine - gourmet provisions
• Clevedon Lions Club - Christmas Trees
• Clevedon Juice & Icecream - juice and icecream
• David's Garden - Asian vegetables a specialty
• Avoculture - Avocados
• Calla Lilies - cut callas and plants
• Queen of Tarts - mince tarts
• Gourmet Cakes - Gourmet Christmas Cakes
• Zorba - great Greek food
• Ness Valley Nuts - fresh roasted and chocolate macadamia nuts
  

Clevedon Village Farmers Market
Every Sunday 8:30am-12 noon, Clevedon Showgrounds, Monument Rd, Clevedon.

Visit our website at www.clevedonfarmersmarket.co.nz
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