Summer Wind Down Salsas

Summer has begun to wind down as we make our way into fall, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the flavours of summer! Making your own salsa at home is easier than you think, and it will surely be tastier than store-bought as well. Below are some delicious salsa recipes for you to try making at home with ingredients you’ve sourced from the market.

Fresh Peach Salsa

Ingredients

  • 1 lb tomatoes diced
  • 1 bell pepper 4 oz, seeded and finely diced
  • 2 jalapenos seeded and finely diced
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 1 1/2 lbs peaches diced
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro chopped
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper or to taste

Instructions

  1. Chop tomatoes and transfer them to a large bowl.
  2. Finely chop seeded bell pepper and jalapeños. Finely chop onion and transfer all your veggies to the bowl.
  3. Dice the peaches. I liked the slightly larger dice for peaches to give them more of the center stage in this salsa. No need to peel them. You won’t notice the peels and the color is prettier with the peel on. Transfer peaches to your bowl.
  4. Add 1/2 bunch chopped cilantro, 2 Tbsp lime juice, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add more salt and pepper to taste if desired. Fold everything together until well mixed and enjoy! www.natashasrecipes.com

Easy Homemade Salsa

Ingredients
  • 8 medium tomatoes
  • ½ cup diced red onion
  • 1 jalapeño pepper (serrano pepper also works)
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro
  • 1-2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ½ tsp cumin
Directions
  1. Finely dice tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño pepper, garlic and cilantro. Combine in a large bowl and add lemon juice, lime juice and seasoning.
  2. Alternatively, process all ingredients in a food processor for 30 seconds. blog.fablunch.com

Salsa Verde

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 lb. tomatillos or green tomatoes
  • 1 white onion
  • 4 serrano chiles
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 12 sprigs cilantro
  • 2 tbsp. cooking oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt + to taste

Instructions

  • Remove the papery husks from the tomatillos and rinse to remove the sticky residue.
  • Quarter the onion.
  • Add all of the ingredients except the cilantro and salt to a large pot and just cover with water.
  • Bring the water and ingredients to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Blend the cooked ingredients and the cilantro with the cooking water until smooth. (About 30 seconds)
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in the pot.
  • Pour the blended salsa back into the pot with the hot cooking oil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Add the salt and adjust if necessary. mexicanfoodjournal.com

On Sunday, September 1 our POP Club kids will be making peach salsa with ingredients sourced from the market. Learn more about the POP Club here and visit us at the market to register.

The POP Club is a farmer’s market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.

Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Vendor Spotlight: Canoe Cola

Our vendor spotlight today is Canoe Cola – one of the few (perhaps only) craft soda breweries in the lower mainland, and the only soda vendor we have at the Coquitlam Farmers Market.

You don’t see a lot of craft soda breweries anywhere. What made you start one? 

We were traveling Europe where a lot of countries have their own national drink brands. We thought it was about time Canada got one too! We love pop but generally find it way too sweet, so we combined the two ideas. Could we make soda locally at a micro-scale?

Would people want to drink a less sweet soda? We tested our ideas and formulations at the markets this summer and the initial feedback has been encouraging. We look forward bringing out new flavours like Ginger Beer and Root beer next summer!

Favorite flavor of soda to brew / enjoy, and why? 

On a hot day we love our Canoe Fizzy Lemonade. It’s tart, refreshing and not too sweet. It’s also a great mixer, if you’re adventurous, try mixing it with Sons of Vancouver’s Chili vodka for a drink with a kick!

What makes Canoe Cola special? 

The taste! You’re not just drinking a sugar bomb when you have one of our beverages. We focused on creating drinks that tasted real and flavourful. Most people don’t know what cola is made of. Ours is a combination of citrus fruits and brown spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Many customers have told us it reminds them of the taste of cola gummy candies!

What do you enjoy the most about selling at farmers markets? 

We love meeting our customers and getting real time feedback about their preferences and where we could improve. We decided on our next two flavours; Ginger Beer and Root Beer because of repeated requests from the community!

Why is growing local important to you? 

Buying local typically means that your food/drink is fresher, and didn’t travel a long journey to get to you- so it’s better for you and the environment. It also means you’re choosing to support local jobs and keep the money in our community.

 

 

Be sure to stop by Canoe Cola at our September 1st and 8th farmers markets! Their cool, tasty and healthier sodas make for an excellent late summer treat.

 

Summer POP Club – Week 18

Discover the Power of Produce and join the POP Club this Sunday!
September 1 – Week 18: This week POP Club kids will be learning about fun food preparation making peach salsa with produce sourced from the market. Stop by the POP tents to sign in (or register) and get started on the activity. Don’t forget to participate in the 2 Bite Club and complete your passport to get your $3 token, redeemable on any fruits and vegetables in the market.
2 Bite Club: bell pepper
The POP Club is a farmers market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.
Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Sunday, September 1

Join us this long weekend at the market on Sunday! We are open and there will be a fantastic selection of local produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, local spirits and more!

Find everything you need for those back to school lunches or summer bbq. 

Grab breakfast or lunch at Gypsy Trunk Gourmet Fare, and your morning coffee from Brewnetti Cafe. Plus this Sunday is Rocky Point Ice Cream’s last Sunday of the season!

Join us at the Kids Craft Table to make a paper plate fan.

Vendors attending market this Sunday September 1 * please note this list is subject to change
  • A Bread Affair
  • Amazing FoodBC
  • Anderson Distilleries
  • Aslan Organics
  • BCB HONEY FARM
  • Beckmann Berry Farm
  • Brewnetti Cafe
  • Brigitta’s Pottery
  • Ca Croustille Bakery
  • Canoe Cola
  • Central Park Farms
  • Chanthorn Orchids and Thai Curry Sauce
  • Chef Pieter
  • Christina’s Garden
  • Cocoaro Craft Chocolate
  • CraftWilder
  • Crisp Organics
  • Culture Kefir Co.
  • Dee’s Jewelry Box
  • Ela Made Me Do It
  • Food On The Grow
  • Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm
  • Gabi & Jules Handmade Pies
  • Garys Kettle Corn
  • Gesundheit Bakery
  • Golden Ears Cheesecrafters
  • Gypsy Trunk Gourmet Fare
  • Happi Dani
  • Hill Top Farm
  • Koji Fine Foods
  • Langley Organic Growers
  • Mama Bear Essentials
  • Mandair Farms
  • Mediterra Soaps
  • Mountain Naturals Soap
  • Never Say Die Nursery
  • PlantBase Food and Specialties
  • Quality Oak Accents
  • Rai Produce / Harvest Direct Farms
  • Redl’s Home Grown Beef
  • Reverent Acres
  • Rockweld Farm
  • Rocky Point Ice Cream
  • Royal City Donuts
  • S & S Nursery
  • Solasta Chocolate
  • Sons of Vancouver Distillery
  • Sweet Thea
  • The Cawston Market Farmer
  • The Corn Shack
  • The Jerk Store
  • Wah Fung Farm

Where Do Fruit and Vegetables Grow?

Many people are not aware of how the fruits and vegetables they eat grow. Unless you garden yourself or get a chance to visit a farm to experience growing food you may not realize how many different ways there are for fruits and vegetables to grow. Next time you are walking around the market try to guess where everything you pick up grows, does it grow on a bush, or maybe out of the ground? Below are the common ways fruit and vegetables grow:

Ground– the ground is a common place to find vegetables. Some grow under the ground and are root vegetables like beets and carrots, others are bulb vegetables such as onions, and some vegetables grow straight up from the ground such as asparagus and broccoli.

Vines- vines are another way you will see fruits and vegetables growing. Did you know that melons grow on vines along the ground? Other vine foods include grapes, beans, and cucumbers. Many vine plants grow upwards but some, like melons, are too heavy and so they grow along the ground.

Bush/plant- a bush is often somewhere you think of fruit growing, you are probably very familiar with blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Another common thing that grows on bushes are peppers, both hot and sweet. Others include bush beans, tomatoes, and summer squash.

Trees– it is probably easy to think of some fruits that grow on trees, such as apples and pears which are pome fruits, or peaches, cherries, and nectarines which are stone fruits. The summer is a good time at the market to find food that grows on trees.

On Sunday, August 25 our POP Club kids will be learning about how and where some of the fruits and vegetables at market grow. Learn more about the POP Club here and visit us at the market to register.

The POP Club is a farmer’s market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.

Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Vendor Spotlight: Kizzy’s Macarons + Long Table Dinner!

For today’s vendor spotlight, we have Kira from Kizzy’s Macarons. She is also contributing to the dessert for this year’s long table dinner!

Macarons are a fairly niche product – what made you start making them in particular?

I tried my first macaron back in 2013 at Thierry’s in downtown Vancouver with my sister. I immediately fell in love and even though I was not a baker by any means, I somehow thought I would give making macarons a try. Countless trial and error and creating a recipe that worked for me, and 6 months later ( & a few thousand dollars of equipment and ingredients) I had finally mastered a somewhat successful batch on macarons. From there is just snow-balled, I started to do orders for friends and then added markets into the mix. Then with the help of my Dad we turned an old building on our farm into a commercial kitchen bakeshop, setting specific open hours where I usually always have macarons for purchase and where I can bake countless macarons for orders, markets and wholesale.

What differentiates your macarons from store-bought ones?

When I was first trying out different macarons from various pastry shops and locations, I noticed certain things I liked and didn’t like about each of the different macarons I tried. For me, I was never a fan of super sweet things and didn’t like the way some macarons just mainly consisted of sugar and once bitten into simply dissolved in my mouth. I carried this through into my own recipe, cutting down on the icing sugar in the recipe and using more almond flour instead. It definitely makes for a trickier macaron to bake, but the results are so much more satisfying! I always bake fresh for my markets and orders, this enables the macarons to last longer and if kept refrigerated they can last up to (if not longer ) than 7 days!

We noticed that you have started bringing produce to farmers markets in addition to your usual macarons. What prompted this change?

Not only do I have a little bake shop but we are also located on 7 acres. I grew up half of my life in a tiny little village, in the countryside of England. I have always been a country girl and love my animals and farm life. I met my better half Winston (Son of Fe- Never say die nursery) at the Farmers markets and now we are making use of the land we live on, to grow unique produce for the markets and customers. Its definitely hard work running two businesses, but everyone needs to eat, and the amount of support for local farmers and agriculture is outstanding and so rewarding.

What do you enjoy the most about selling at farmers markets?

The wonderful smiles, conversations and relationships with customers and vendors you build is incredible. I can be so tired at 8 am on a Sunday morning after pulling 16 hours days and once the market opens and the market atmosphere is thriving, it is one of the best feelings in the world.

Why is growing local important to you?

There is nothing better we can do for our planet than to grow our own produce in the area we live in. Providing locally grown food to the people in our towns and cities brings communities together, educates everyone and makes for a healthier lifestyle. The support for local farmers and businesses is so important in the world we live in today and it creates such a big impact on the world around us.

Why is it important to you to be a part of the Long Table Dinner?

I first attended the long table dinner in 2018 and was amazed by the event. It is a great night out and it’s wonderful to support such a good cause like the POP club. I had the pleasure of donating a macaron tower last year, and it made me smile so much seeing my macarons being enjoyed by all the attendees. It’s a great way to bring together local chefs, great dishes and produce, to showcase everything the tri-cities and the lower mainland  has to offer .

You have recently started bringing vegetables to the market in addition to your signature macarons. How did you get into farming, and how long has the process taken from the beginning to now?

Although we were growing last year, this year we started bringing our produce to market and it has been an incredible eye-opener. It’s wonderful to see not only returning customers for my macarons but how the majority of customers who come to the markets are there to support local farmers and produce. With Winston’s knowledge and our hard work we have really pulled it together, and to see our gardens flourishing is such an incredible feeling. It has definitely been the longest days I have ever done, not only baking between 2-500 macarons a day then followed by heading outside and maintaining the gardens, harvesting for markets and staying on top of every crop. Every bit of money we have made from the sales of our produce has gone back into the farm. From huge loads of manure, to seed orders and to finally having a walk in cooler, the farm is thriving. We are already planning and prepping for next year, we are even looking into making our first big purchase! A tractor! We cant wait to end the season with a bang and start getting geared up for the next year ahead, with even more utilised land for vegetables, branching out into fruits, huge flower gardens, edible flowers, oh and maybe even a few more animals! (But don’t tell Winston). 🙂

 

 

 

Find Kizzy’s Macarons on our August 25th and September 8th marketsto relieve your sweet tooth, and possibly compensate with some healthy produce on the side! You can also find Kizzy’s artistry at our upcoming Long Table Dinner. Tickets are sold out, but we do have a waitlist. Purchase either on-site at the farmers market or our website!

Sunday, August 25 – Members Day!

This Sunday is Member Appreciation Day! Market Members can visit the market and take advantage of special Member-Only
deals from our vendors. Not a Member? No problem! Sign up at the Market Information Table any Sunday, or Click Here!

  • A Bread Affair: $2 off Marquis Batard
  • Amazing Foods: $3.00 to $5.00 savings in mix and match items
  • Brewnetti Cafe: $1 off on any drinks
  • Canoe Cola: Save $1 – Get two drinks for $7 (reg. $8)
  • Central Park Farms: 25% off chicken wings
  • Garys Kettle Corn: $1 off large bags of kettle corn
  • Gesundheit Bakery: Save $1 off a purchase of $5 or more
  • Golden Ears Cheesecrafters: $1.00 off any hard cheese
  • Gypsy Jean Jewellery: $5 off any necklace
  • Hoochy ‘Booch Kombucha: $1 off per litre
  • Kizzy’s Macarons: Buy 5 or more and get 1 free
  • Oh Sweet Day: Buy 1 get 1 free mini cheesecake
  • Rockweld Farm: 20% off whole birds
  • Sajiva Kombucha: Buy 6 bottles, get 1 FREE!
  • Sweet Thea: 10% off your purchase – no limit!
  • The Cawston Market Farmer: 25% off apple juice (3 and 5 litre boxes)
  • WestCoast Cider Co: Buy 2 650ml get $2.00 off

Learn at the Market this Sunday: Vegan Cooking Workshop with Fred Soofi

Shop the Market with Pasta Polo’s Chef Fred Soofi! Pick from fresh market ingredients and learn how to create a delicious, vegan dish! Online sales have closed! If you are interested in participating please sign up in the morning at market!

In our food truck area we have Gypsy Trunk Gourmet Fare, Kara’s Crepes, Rocky Point Ice Cream and Brewnetti Cafe.

We’re pleased to welcome City of Coquitlam Councillor Bonita Zarrillo to market this Sunday. Stop by our ‘Coffee with Councillors’ tent between 10am -1pm to pick up a coffee and talk about all things Coquitlam!

At our free kids craft table, we will be making paper Hyacinth flowers.

In our music tent we have Ron Forbes-Roberts join us.

Vendors attending market this Sunday August 25 – please note this list is subject to change
  • 3Js Smokehouse Ltd – Island Jerky
  • A Bread Affair
  • Amazing FoodBC
  • Aslan Organics
  • Bannock Queen
  • Beckmann Berry Farm
  • Black Sheep vegan Cheeze
  • BobAli
  • Boneheads Kitchen
  • Brewnetti Cafe
  • Canoe Cola
  • Central Park Farms
  • Crisp Organics
  • Food Migration
  • Forbidden Fruit Winery
  • Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm
  • Fume-eh Gourmet Foods
  • Gabi & Jules Handmade Pies
  • Garys Kettle Corn
  • Gesundheit Bakery
  • Golden Ears Cheesecrafters
  • Gypsy Jean Jewellery
  • Gypsy Trunk Gourmet Fare
  • Hill Top Farm
  • Hoochy ‘Booch Kombucha
  • Kara’s Crepes
  • Kics Gourmet Products
  • Kizzy’s Macarons
  • Langley Organic Growers
  • Maan Farms Estate Winery
  • Mama Bear Essentials
  • Mandair Farms
  • Mariner Brewing
  • Mario Teixeira Registered Shiatsu Therapist
  • Moody Essentials Co.
  • Never Say Die Nursery
  • Occasionally Honey
  • Oh Sweet Day!
  • Pebblestone Publishing
  • Penny Swanson Pottery
  • Rai Produce / Harvest Direct Farms
  • Redl’s Home Grown Beef
  • Rockweld Farm
  • Rocky Point Ice Cream
  • S & S Nursery
  • Sajiva Kombucha
  • Solasta Chocolate
  • Sweet Thea
  • Tesfa Farms
  • The Cawston Market Farmer
  • Vlad’s Apiary
  • Wah Fung Farm
  • Waterside Vineyard and Winery
  • WestCoast Cider Co.
  • Westwood Total Health

The Many Roles of a Farmer

Many people do not realize how complex farming truly is. There are many kinds of farming (eg. livestock, crop, tree, dairy, and many more) and each type of farming requires specialized skills and knowledge. A farmers task varies greatly according to the type of farming, the type of crop or livestock, which machinery and equipment are used, and what size the farming operation is. Below are just a few examples of the different roles that a farmer has:

Veterinarian- must be able to assist with the birth of animals, recognize disease, and administer medicine

Meteorologist- must have a good understanding of weather and climate in order to plan and be prepared for weather changes

Mechanic- must know how to operate heavy machinery, as well as fix it

Nutritionist- must know how to properly feed livestock on the farm and supply the nutrition they need to be healthy

Scientist- must have knowledge of soil composition in order to know which seeds to use, as well as which fertilizers to use

Engineer- must have knowledge of constructing various buildings, fences, irrigation ditches, and how to use natural resources

Business Manager- must have knowledge of how a business runs, the selling of farm products, also keep track of farm equipment and be responsible for payments

Resource Conservationist- must be able to recognize species of plants and trees and know when and how to properly clear trees, prevent soil erosion, and be able to recognize and manage fire

On Sunday, August 18 our POP Club kids will be learning about the roles of a farmer with a Hats Farmers Wear activity. Learn more about the POP Club here and visit us at the market to register.

The POP Club is a farmer’s market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.

Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Vendor Spotlight: Beckmann Berry Farms

What is the history behind Beckmann Berry Farms? What’s your story?

Beckmann Berry Farms are the most famous farms in the Fraser Valley region For huge and juicy berries. We have been serving our customers for more than 30 years. We have freshwater streams running underneath the roots of the Blueberries, which allows

abundant water supply for the plants. Moreover, this helps in making our berries very juicy and tasty. Our berries are not sprayed.

Favorite berry to grow / enjoy, and why?

Chandler blueberries are our favorite berry to grow and enjoy. Chandlers are generally very huge berries (about the size of toonie). Very demanding variety at the markets. Not the least, this variety is mostly enjoyed by the pickers and the customers.

What differentiates Beckmann berries from all of the others?

Beckmann Berries are non-sprayed and the sweetest berries in the region. None of the farms nearby have such a big size and tasty berries. People far away from Merit and UBC order around 200-300 lbs. from us. Every customer is satisfied from us and we have had the same customers for the past 30 years.

What do you enjoy the most about selling at farmers markets?

The most enjoyable is to see our customers coming back and forth to us since years and years and with happy smiles. Additionally, we enjoy fulfilling our customers expectations from us.

Why is growing local important to you?

Canada is our mother country and it is our pleasure to serve our nation. Growing and selling local helps us to expand our business in the region around us. This also helps us to satisfy our neighborhood.

 

 

Beckmann Berry Farms will be selling their tasty berries at the Coquitlam Farmers Market every market in August. Don’t hesitate to stop by for some blueberries!

Summer POP Club – Week 16

Discover the Power of Produce and join the POP Club this Sunday!
August 18 – Week 16: This week POP Club kids will be learning about all the different roles that farmers have to take on with a Hats Farmers Wear activity. Stop by the POP tents to sign in (or register) and get started on the activity. Don’t forget to participate in the 2 Bite Club and complete your passport to get your $3 token, redeemable on any fruits and vegetables in the market.
2 Bite Club: kale
The POP Club is a farmers market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.
Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!