Update for Saturday Saturday June 2nd

Summer seems to really be here and we seem to be getting a few new locally grown items each week.  This week we will have local zucchini and pickle cucumners for the first time this season.  Also, I am told by the farmers that the local strawberries are starting to slow down.  They have been excellent the last 2 weeks, so come and get them while you can.

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Please note an upcoming special event.  Its called "Sous Chefs for a Cause".  It is a special dinner being held this Sunday at Legume restaurant.  Funds from the dinner will benefit a scholarship for cheese makers in western Pennsylvania.  The idea is to get more and better local cheese.  It is a great cause and I am sure it will be a great dinner.  Some of Pittsburgh's finest chefs will be preparing the food.  The folks at Slow Food Pittsburgh came up with the idea and are organizing the event.  More information is available by clicking on the link below.

http://www.slowfoodpgh.com/calendar/sous-chefs-cook-for-a-cause-more-better-local-cheese

To make a reservation for the dinner, click the link below.  The 7:30 session is already sold out but there are spaces for the 4:00 seating available.

See you on Saturday!  David Lagnese

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The Update

Greenawalt Farm

California Olive Oil Connection- Last weeek I mentioned that I read the book Extra Virginity while I was in Paris.  The book basically tells the story about how most of the oil that we get here is definitely not "extra Virgin" olive oil.  In most cases it is much lower quality oil and in some cases actually adulterated oil.  It is really a shocking story.  The book also does a lot to educate on the history of olive oil and some of the keys to obtaining high quality EVO today.  I am happy to report that he gave pretty high marks the artisinal olive oils which are being produced in California and that I am carrying at the market.  It made me feel really good about what we are doing at the market by bringing these oils to Pittsburgh.

To promote education, I started a little lending library at the market and lent out 3 of the 4 copies of Extra Virginity book.  So stop by and borrow a copy when you have some time to give it a read.  

Also check out the website for more information:
http://www.extravirginity.com/

The Greek Gourmet- will have homemade spinach and meat pies to the market each week- in addition to 20+ flavors of hummus.

PA Made Cheese- No new cheeses this week.  But I am hoping a few people can make it to the fund raising dinner mentioned above that will benefit a local cheese maker.   I have encouraged all the western PA cheesemakers that I work with to apply for the scholarship.  

I also want to mentioned that I got a rather large order of cheddar cheese wheels this week from Clover Creek Cheese Cellar.  I ordered the oldest cheese that they had in inventory, which is 9 months old.  I plan to age it for several more months until it is at least a year old.  I have been getting a lot of requests for this longer aged cheese from the cheedar lovers out there.

Kew Park Coffee Bar- We have more locally roasted beans from Kew Park Coffee Estate in Jamaica.

Summary of Produce Available

Veggies

• Zucchini
• Cucumbers
• Potatoes
• PA Mushrooms
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Cooking greens
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Ramps
• Micro greens
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Broccoli
• Rhubarb
• Asparagus

Fruit

• Strawberries
• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, limes and oranges
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

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Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

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The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.