October-Feast

So how long will this magical weather with the warm days and cool nights last? I don’t claim to know, but I want to be in it as much as possible until the inevitable happens (Spoiler Alert: I’m referring to rain). And with two Markets this weekend, there is ample chance to enjoy these golden days.

Apples! Every market is like an Applefest as we show off one of the crops the NW is famous for. Old World Apples, who we only see this time of year will be at PSU, they have varieties you’ve never heard of but should get to know, plus the beloved favorites. And if you’ve ever enjoyed a red delicious, grown to maturity, picked and offered within days of being off the tree, you’ll understand why it became THE apple of choice. To appreciate it, you just have to go back to the beginning. Then let’s not forget the pears. Kiyokawa Family Orchard, Maryhill to name a few will be offering fruits of the tree this weekend. For those of you who don’t want to deal with stem and skin – well Wandering Aengus, has ciders, hard ciders. As a public service, Wandering Aengus, bridges the gap between beer and wine drinkers, offering suitable drinking for Thai takeout, risotto or braised pork.

And speaking of pork, Olympic Provisions is offering a free demonstration of pig butchery this weekend 10-11am, center of market at chef’s stage at PSU. Springwater will offer hot soups tomorrow and Converging Creeks is bringing dried tomatoes.

King Market is entering it’s last month: Only four Markets left in NE Portland. 7th & Wygant between 10-2, King will have apples too. Plus all the farm fresh goodies you come to expect – tomatoes, greens, onions, mushrooms, cabbage – there’s a meal waiting to break out.

For those of you who greet Sundays with the NY Times, open to the Sunday Review and check out the essay by Portland Farmers Market Blog contributor Aaron Gilbreath called, What Miles Davis Taught Me about Brevity. It seems like just a year ago he was writing about squashes and now he’s in the NY freaking Times and getting paid and stuff. They grow up so quickly. And good for Aaron, few people work as hard and well as he does.

PSU Market goes until mid-December. Our Sunday King and Wednesday’s Shemanski run through the end of October. Get out in the nice weather. Eat some apples, make some sauce, and enjoy your weekend with a good meal.