O Happy Day! It's Farmers Market season! Last week a plethora of towns around our great state opened their gates to this season's markets giving all us winter-weary local food loving Montanans a much needed taste of fresh produce. I know what you're saying. Yes, there's not an abundance of fresh food yet this time of year but look closely and you can always find something. Since the markets are slower this a great time to spend a little one-on-one with the vendors. If you don't know how to prepare something, ask. I've received great advice about how to use an unrecognized vegetable or how to preserve those thirty poblanos I couldn't resist buying but can't possibly eat in one summer.
Everyone has their favorite market but I have to say you can always find me at the Clark Fork River Market on Saturday mornings under the Higgins Avenue Bridge. The selection here is staggering and since you can find baked goods, meat, cheese and eggs you don't have to wait for the growing season to kick in to start savoring our fabulous local flavors. You don't need a wad of cash when you get there. Last year I discovered that you can use your credit or debit card to buy tokens which can then be used at each vendor. The tokens are good all year (and I think year after year) so you don't have to carefully plan how much money you'll spend each visit. Vendors even accept WIC vouchers and senior nutrition vouchers encouraging everyone to each locally and eat healthy.
The market also host live music and plenty of food carts. You simply must try the crepes! To find out more about the market, visit www.clarkforkrivermarket.com for the musical acts that will be playing each week, special events, a list of vendors and recipes posted by several vendors featuring their products as the main ingredient.
Hope to see you at the market! Just don't get in front of me at the heirloom tomato stand. Things could get ugly.
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