Flavourful Saskatoon, December 14, 2015

Nathan on his own selling veggies last week

Night Market Before Christmas, Dec. 17 
The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market is hosting an evening market from 7-10 pm, Dec. 17. There will be music, drinking, and shopping.

Griffin Takeaway 
The Griffin Takeaway has expanded its options. You can take home frozen pies, dairy-free/vegan cookie dough, and scones. They’re also serving curries (coconut lentil, aloo gobi) as part of an expanded lunch menu.

Coffee - Try Something Different 
City Perks has a great selection of coffee. There’s 49th Parallel – from Vancouver, Anchored from Dalhousie, Nova Scotia, and Pilot from Toronto.

Crack in Broccoli Form 
I know I’m a broken record, but I wish more chefs would realize what astounding dishes they can make if they start treating vegetables with respect. Dirt Candy’s Korean Fried Broccoli is #1 on the Zagat list of the best things they ate in New York in 2015.

Zagat says, “If you do finally manage to get a table, start with the gochujang-fried Korean broccoli ($6) — the menu describes it as "crack in broccoli form" and they're not kidding. The crispy broccoli fried Korean-style is glazed in the spicy Korean chile paste and yogurt and topped with scallions. Trust us, you'll be begging for a second helping.” 


Bread, Wine and Chocolate 
Simran Sethi, author of Bread, Wine and Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love, says that three-quarters of our food comes from 12 plants and five animals. We wouldn’t invest our money in such a narrow portfolio, but that’s exactly what we’re doing with food.

Sethi says that consumers must step up to the plate and support agro biodiversity. “If we don’t, she says, we are not only eroding genetic diversity by supporting monocultures, but also settling for varieties grown for productivity and resilience, not necessarily the best flavour. 

“If we want to settle, then just go to the grocery store, go to the supermarket now, and there are aisles of mediocrity.” 

Newport Market 
I was so excited to walk down the hill into Newport and find that Market Street was closed to traffic and lined with bright red and white canopied market stands. In addition to Nathan selling vegetables, there was a baker (individual quiches, vegetarian pasties, Christmas stollen) and a woman selling Welsh cheese, as well as some craft vendors. (No photos as it was raining and I didn't think there would be a market - hopefully next time.

Veggie Deli

On Saturday, I stopped by the Christmas Market at Newport Memorial Hall and was thrilled to discover a woman selling all sorts of vegetarian options from Veggie Deli. I picked up a package of Glamorgan sausages, a veggie sausage roll, a roasted aubergine & red lentil bake, and a bakewell slice.

Now I’m well stocked for Christmas! And it’s all made and purchased locally.

Newport’s Parrog 
In case you missed it, I posted some photos of Newport’s harbour this past week on my alternate (poetry and book reviews mostly) blog.

Market Street - there's a house inside the ruined castle at the top of the street

 Flavourful Saskatoon is a weekly Monday feature. I also post regular profiles of culinary entrepreneurs, new restaurants and new food products. 

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