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Breathe out, everyone - spring is here.
Even the ducks would have to agree we’ve weathered a particularly
grisly winter, what with multiple storms and near-constant rain.
Our thoughts go out to the growers and the farmers - it takes a
particular kind of resilience to work in rain and knee-deep mud
week after week.
The good news is that the laws of universal balance dictate a miserable
winter must be followed by a stunning summer, so close your eyes
and focus on those balmy evening barbecues filled with the bounty
of the Clevedon Village Farmers’ Market.
With the change in season comes a change in produce; prepare to
welcome back spring favourites like asparagus and strawberries.
We’re also pleased to announce that New Zealand’s first-ever
locally made buffalo mozzarella and ricotta will debut at the market
this month. Farmed and handmade by the Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company,
these unique, additive-free cheeses swept multiple awards at the
2008 Champions of Cheese Awards and will make the perfect addition
to a truly memorable spring feast.
We’d also like to warmly thank our regulars for shopping with
us through the chilly months - it’s you who make the early
morning starts worthwhile. Happy shopping.
Picture perfect
After much tricky deliberation, we are pleased to announce the winners
of the inaugural Clevedon Village Farmers’ Market art competition.
Thanks so much to everyone who took part - we were blown away by
your wonderful efforts, so much so that we’ve decided to award
every artist a free croissant and hot chocolate.
Special congratulations to our three category winners:
Sarah Russel – Most innovative artwork.
Claudia Hall – Artwork that best captures the atmosphere of
the market.
Rene Ryall - Best observational artwork.
Sarah, Claudia and Rene will each receive a $50 voucher to spend
at Hot Topic toy shop in Howick.
Chief leaf
Packed with antioxidants and other goodies, kale is the quiet achiever
of the vegetable world.
An attractive, leafy member of the Brassica family (alongside cabbage,
collards, brussels sprouts and broccoli), kale is easy to grow -
even in colder climates where light frosts produce especially sweet
leaves. Although it can be found in markets throughout the year,
it is tastiest from the middle of winter through to the beginning
of spring.
Kale leaves have an earthy flavour and offer more nutritional value
(with vitamin A, calcium and phytonutrients) for fewer calories
than almost any other food around.
For a green, kale is also unusually high in fibre. This helps create
the bulk you need to feel full, making it a dieter’s dream
food.
Try steamed kale for breakfast on toast, topped with a good squeeze
of lemon juice and a poached egg.
Kitchen 101
If your partner can fix a pump in a crisis and turn a pair of tights
into a temporary fan belt but somehow manages to burn water, this
is the website for them - www.cookingforengineers.com.
Don’t say we don’t care about your marriage.
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MARKET PROFILE
Estuary Orchards
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Alison Dawson of Estuary
Orchards
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If you’ve become accustomed to the bland,
cool-stored citrus sold at your local supermarket, you’ll
be delighted to discover Estuary Orchards’ delicious
mandarins, tangelos and oranges.
Grown by Ross and Alison Dawson at their tranquil property
between Clevedon and Kawakawa Bay, Estuary’s golden produce
is sweet, juicy and super-fresh.
Enjoy it while it lasts - citrus season runs from May to December.
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Down to earth foodie makes sense
Augusts Destitute Gourmet evening with Sophie Gray in Clevedon
was a huge success with late arrivals finding standing room
only. Sophie has a positive and uplifting message for cooks;
she promoted fresh seasonal produce as the most important
items on the shopping list and demonstrated ways to make top
quality ingredients go a long way, lifting the flavour and
pleasure of an ordinary family meal. A big thank you to the
Kindy committee for organising this splendid event.
Damp but not defeated
Despite the 24th of August being possibly the wettest wildest
market morning ever, we managed to raise over $400 for the
Auckland Cancer Society. A Big thanks to our daffodil sellers
on the day and to people for their generosity.
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