After a long and exceptionally cold winter, I am appreciating our local farmers more than ever. Their ability to bring a diverse selection of produce to market early in the growing season is amazing, all the more so when you realize they have to contend with things like frost on the second-last weekend in May. A visit to the Ottawa Farmers’ Market (OFM) at this time of year is a true delight, especially now that it is operating outdoors at Lansdowne Park three days a week (Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays). There’s also a great satellite market in Westboro on Saturdays. I’m always happy to shop locally, especially when it comes to food.
Once again, I’ve been fortunate to receive a basket full of goodness from the OFM, as a spring Farmers’ Feast cooking challenge. Here is a list of the basket’s suppliers and contents:
- Needham’s Market Garden – Rhubarb
- Acorn Creek Garden Farm – sweet black currant vinegar and popcorn cobs
- Avonmore Berry Farm – asparagus
- Rochon Garden – spicy pickled carrots, radishes, cucumbers, dill, sorrel, baby beets
- Pure Bread – classic sourdough and Borodinsky rye
- Just Farm – ramps, green onions, mixed bags of kale
- Poppa Bean – Monsoon coffee beans
- Chamomile Desjardins – Cool Canadian hot sauce
I’ll be adding some delicious new recipes to this site in the days ahead (see list below). Why not make a trip to the Ottawa Farmers’ Market this week and cook along with me?
Salad of tender greens with pickled rhubarb
Open-faced radish sandwiches – a French treat!
Rhubarb Mousse (chilled or frozen)
Constantly Cooking with Paula Roy 
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