SHOWER MEWITH FLOWERSI have found a new subtle groupof foods that completely fi t thebill for summer sensuality. It allstarted one night while ramblingthrough an urban park. The hourwas late-ish, the company andweather fi ne. I was surrounded byaromatic and visually compellingroses, all colors and sizes. I beganwith mere quaffi ng of fragrances.Full and ripe, these roses invitedfi rst that I bury my face in theirabundant offerings, and then thetasting was inevitable. I overrodemy questions of pesticides andchemicals for a walk on the wildside. I plucked a petal from ajust-past-her-prime bloom andput it gently into my mouth. Ah!The delicacy, the subtle fl avor, therichness! I was hooked. Flower tofl ower I fl itted, like some oversizednight pollinating butterfl y, samplingthe culinary vagaries of the roses.Of course, we’ve most of useaten fl owers at some point, ina salad or perhaps in ice cream(think the nouveau penchant forlavender). But how many of useat these delicacies at home? Iencourage garden grazing, withthe usual caveats: if you don’tknow it’s edible, don’t eat it; andof course if you’ve just peppered itwith RoundUp, well . . . duh.What follows is a quick list formaking like a bee and gettinginto flower tasting:Bee Balm (Monarda species) issimilar to bergamot and can beused to fl avor tea.Calendula (Calendula Officianalis)called “poor man’s saffron” thegolden or orange petals add a joyfulhue to salads and ethnic foods.Peppery in fl avor.Violet (Viola species) are sweetlike nectar and of course arespectacular candied.eating the coastfood loveby elia seelyThyme (Thymus Vulgaris) arelemony in fl avor and dee-lishus insubtle pasta dishes.Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis)add color and zest like calendula,and young buds can be fried asthey taste similar to mushrooms.Cornflower (Centaurea cynaus)taste sweet and spicy, almost likecloves.Impress your friends: bringcupcakes with candied violets tonext backyard do.Candied Violets• Wash fl owers gently in a basinand drain on paper towels• When the blossoms are dry,paint a little beaten egg whitegently on each blossom andthen sprinkle with granulatedsugar• Leave to dry for a few days sittingin a sugar fi lled tray• Stored in an airtight jar awayfrom light, they will keepindefi nitelyKelly Huckestein and Lori Rutledge“There is a great need in our North Coastcommunities for more access to fresh, healthyfood, especially for lower-income residents. Aswell, local small farms and ranches, part-timeproducers, fi shers, and other food producersneed easier, affordable market access in anatmosphere that will foster business developmentand encourage economic growth.”From the River People Farmers Market Statementof PurposeThe River People Farmers Market (whichdebuted in Astoria on Thursday, June23) provides eager shoppers yet anotheropportunity to buy farm fresh locallyraised food. Market volunteers estimatethat more than 1,000 people visited orparticipated in the market on openingday. Vendors offer vegetables, strawberries,fl owers, edible plant starts, eggs,meat, and seafood. Bread and otherbaked goods, jams, vinegars, teas, sauerkraut,kimchee, fresh and aged cheese,wildcrafted nettle pesto, and otherhandmade goodies both cooked and raware also available. The Market Café offersa changing menu gleaned from what isavailable at the market each week. Livemusic rounds out the market experience.The vendors include Astoria SundayMarket veterans 46 North Farm,Kingfi sher Farms, Blue Scorcher Bakery,and Skipanon Seafood. The River PeopleFarmers Market also serves as a platformfor those new to farming and/or sellingsuch as Love Warrior Gardens of Svensen andSilver Leaf Farm of Naselle, WA.The River People Farmers Market was setup by North Coast Food Web and is operatedby volunteers. The River People Farmers Marketcomplements rather than competes withthe Astoria Sunday Market, providing a secondweekly opportunity for Astoria area residentsto score the freshest possible local food, andCasualDiningGreatRiverViewsRIVER PEOPLE’SMARKETmore chances for local farmers to markettheir produce, plants, and products. Unlikethe Sunday Market, the River People Market,along with other new farmers markets on theNorth Coast, focuses primarily on food.More than anything, markets like the RiverPeople Farmers Market promote community.Consumers have the opportunity to buy thefresh local food they are increasingly demandingand to learn more about what they eat andwho produces it. Farmers have the opportunityto sell their output directly to the consumer.Both farmers and consumers have the opportunityto meet, to learn, to exchange ideas,to socialize. It’s a relaxed environment, a greatplace to meet friends and make new ones, totaste something new, to learn a new recipe,to hear the story of how your food came to be,and of course to fi nd some great local food!The River People Farmers Market runs from3 – 7pm every Thursday through September inthe parking lot at Astoria Indoor Garden Supplyon 13th St.Debit, credit, and SNAP cards are accepted,but dogs are not allowed in the marketarea. Interested in becoming a vendor?Go to riverpeoplemarket.org/vendor-info/ for aMarket Handbook and vendor application.- Cathy NistAdeliciousfare ofpastas, seafoodand Tuscan steaksAuthentic, creative,sandwiches and salads“. . . the best Italian restaurant between Seaside and Seattle!”- J. Nicholas, The OregonianLunch & Dinner • OPEN 7 days a week • Specials Served DailyDOWNTOWN ASTORIA • 1149 Commercial • 503-325-9001 • www.fulios.comBrewery ToursSat./Sun. at 1:00 and 4:00pm.FREE Live MusicEvery Sunday at 8:00Hand-made FoodHouse made sausages, steaks,and fresh seafood.Yes . . . you can play with our action figures.Brewed Local, Canned LocalDelicious coffee, handcraftedby Water Avenue CoffeePortland, ORGreat LunchesHomemade SoupsOur New Box Lunch Menuopen at 6:30 daily503-325-PINT www.fortgeorgebrewery.comOpen mic every Saturday 6:30 - 9:301410 commercial streetastoria 97103 503.325.5511Now offering Pour over.. ..a cup of joe brewedspecially for you right in front of your eyes!july11 hipfishmonthly.com30
9am 7pm Open Everyday!-Exchange St., Astoria, 503.325.00271355discount Welcome!the All same the dayShoppers$25 and receivefor up SignOwner?”an “NotJULY 28ANDJULY 95% OFFDays!Discount Through FoodMemberCommunityBuildingann & tony kischner’seatingthecoastinHIPfISHmonthly❖ Provisions forHandcrafted Libations❖ Home Brew Equipment& Supplies❖ Brew on Premises Lab,Fermenting & BottlingRoom❖ A large selection ofspecialty Beer & Wine❖ 12 handle draft PubBrews!Open Daily 10am to 8pmSunday 11am to 5pm2703 Marine Dr., Astoria503.325.2234B i s t r oopen every daylunch . dinner . sunday brunch503.325.6777bridgewaterbistro.com20 basin street, astoria orBuilding CommunityThrough FoodAll Shoppers Welcome!MemberDiscount Days!5% OFFJULY 9ANDJULY 28“Not an Owner?”Sign up for $25 and receivethe discount the same day1355 Exchange St., Astoria, 503.325.0027Open 9am - 7pm Everyday!Find us on Facebook31 july11 hipfishmonthly.com
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