New Potatoes and Beets from STAR at the Barton Creek Market

New Potatoes and Beets from STAR at the Barton Creek Market
As I sit here writing, it is 48 degrees outside, but by Saturday we are supposed to be in the low eighties again, having an all-around beautiful weekend. Record-setting cold in MAY! How in the world it didn’t rain when that arctic blast of air hit all the humidity we were experiencing on Wednesday, I do not know. Did anyone get any rain?

The cold air might wither the squash blossoms, but it won’t get cold enough to damage the squash, or the tomatoes or the peppers…..at least it isn’t predicted to. Fruitful Hill Farm will be bringing the first of this years (outdoor-grown) cucumbers to market on Saturday, at the Barton Creek Market and the Sunset Valley Market.

Peach Creek Farm will be at the Downtown SFC Market this Saturday. They have been able to attend the Downtown Market only on a spotty basis the Spring, so this is the weekend to load up on Peach Creek pork products, as they won’t be back again until June.

Caeda Farms brought huge bouquets of larkspur to the market last week
Celtic Seafare will be at the Barton Creek Market this Saturday, and this week their smoked salmon will be form British Columbia. They also have a brand new cold smoked salmon cured with Tito’s vodka, beetroot and a hint of horseradish. Their hot smoked salmon this week is Jack Daniels/Pecan Pesto Salmon with plum sauce with black sesame seeds.  Along with their fabulous sandwiches, they will have Smoked Salmon Hash ’n’ Eggs, that includes hashed potatoes, eggs, sautéed leeks, onions, feta cheese, smoked salmon and dill crème fraiche.

STAR Market at Barton Creek brought lovely new potatoes last week (which I bought to make scalloped potatoes with, along with Full Quiver Farm’s Cheddar and Half-and-half) and they will have them again this weekend. A spectacular buy!

Artisan breads from New Bread Rising. Left to right: Reggiano Garlic, Walnut/Green Onion, Crusty Italian, and Raisin Pecan
The Barton Creek Market and the Highland Mall Market on Sunday will both be continuing their “Bring a Friend and get a $5 coupon” special this week, so if you are heading to the market with a friend, be sure to remember to get your coupons! Both you and your friend get one.

Fete Accompli is adding two new flavors to their drink stands Downtown and at Barton Creek: Pineapple/Coconut, and Limeade with Green Herbs.

2 Happy Children Farm will only have those artichokes I have been hawking for two more weeks.

Winfield Farm is adding a new jam to their repertoire: Bluebarb, a mixture of blueberries and rhubarb. Now this I have got to try! Texas Blueberries are wonderful, but rarely seen at the markets. I wonder if they will have the blueberries too?

The loquats are ripening! Loquat bushes are so plentiful in Austin that I don’t think I have ever seen anyone selling any, because you can pick all you want for free in your neighbor’s yard. But Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due is making stuff with loquats this weekend: Loquat and Onion Chutney ($8) and Loquat Leaf Sweet Tea, among other items. Other new items include Carrot Kraut ($9) and Pickled Eggs ($11).

Dai Due will also be buying mulberries, should you happen to have a mulberry tree: $4/pint cash or $5/store credit for black mulberries; $5/pint cash or $6/store credit for white mulberries (ripe). Please deliver to 1208 West 4th street on Fridays, between Noon-6 p.m. 

Dai Due’s hot food this weekend will be:

Longanisa Sausage, Egg and Nopal Taco with green tomato salsa; Shrimp Etouffee with Texas rice and green onion; Fried Rabbit and Green Onion Boudin with iceberg lettuce leaves, kimchi and basil; Chicken and Calabaza Tostada with refried beans, cortido, pepperjack and crema; Boar Burger with crispy salt pork, green tomato relish, peppercress and mayonnaise on a wheat bun.

J.J.’s Good Things hot sauces at the Richardson Farms table
J.J.’s Good Things sold out of their pepper sauces before the market even opened last Saturday (no doubt due to my accolades), but this weekend she plans to have plenty for all comers.
Concha’s new venture: Concha’s Seafood
Concha’s Seafood (Sunset Valley and Downtown) opened for business last week, and I bought a couple of Red Snapper filets. Talk about fresh! They were exquisite, and they still had a decorative fin attached.

See you at the Markets!

This article appears in May 3 • 2013.

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Kate Thornberry worked in renowned Austin restaurants for 30 years while pursuing a reasonably successful career in music. She began contributing to the Chronicle in 1988 and became a regular contributor to the food section in 2006.