The market is in full swing with an abundance of produce

To our community: The market is in full swing, and we are enjoying the long warm days, the abundance of produce, and the fun entertainment. Every week, we welcome new and exciting vendors, but we also have plenty of our trusted heirloom vendors, many of which have been with the market for decades! One of them, Baird Family Orchards, joined us with the first apricots of the season, and soon, will treat us with their fresh, hand-picked peaches! Kiyokawa Family Orchards will bring fresh cherries, including the hard-to-find tart cherries, which are delicious in pies. This is the season to start canning and prepping the in-season fruit and veggies for the winter months. Watermelons from Hermiston Melon Co. are arriving in mid-July to treat us to fresh, juicy goodness straight from sunny Eastern Oregon.

Among other exciting news, several of our vendors have opened the doors of their own brick-and-mortar storefronts. This positive growth in their businesses is always a proud moment for us! Dos Hermanos, a beloved local family bakery, opened their second location in Beaverton, only a couple of blocks away from the Market! Stop by their store and cafe located at 12400 SW Broadway St, Beaverton, OR 97005. One of the Market’s favorites, Eleni’s Kitchen, also opened its restaurant. The founder, Eleni Woldeyes, set up her company to share the unique flavors and exotic aromas of Ethiopian foods with the world. If you are craving some of her cooking, find her restaurant at NE Cornell Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

During a heat wave, the last thing most of us want to do is turn on the stove for cooking. We’ve got a few go-to solutions for hot days, such as prepping ingredients like cooked bacon ahead of time, then heating it in the microwave when you want it for a BLT. Serving cold soups like gazpacho from Souper Natural is refreshing and saves you time. An added benefit is that the longer gazpacho sits, the better it gets. Make simple but nourishing sandwiches with seed and nut butters from Ground-Up, topped with vanilla bean honey from Salmon Creek Farm. Stack your favorite cold cuts with fresh lettuce and tomatoes. Stock up on hummus from The Hummus Stop for a quick veggie or pita snack. Make sure to grab some of their pitas or fresh chips, and you’ve got yourself an authentic Middle-Eastern meal.

Bruschetta with goat cheese: Make snack food that is easy to assemble, like bruschetta, toasted baguette slices, with goat cheese from Fraga Farmstead Creamery, topped with these marinated tomatoes, which are quick and easy to make and can be used in salads, in sandwiches and wraps, or eaten as a refreshing snack. Here’s what you need:

Ingredients

• 1 lb of your favorite tomatoes – halved for small or sliced into ¼” rounds for large
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon freshly minced herbs (basil or parsley)
• salt to taste (I use about 1/2 – 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt)

Directions

1. Toss all the ingredients together and let them rest for 2-3 hrs minimum, or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
2. Bring it back up to room temperature for the best experience!