Most farmers and gardeners are just starting to get seeds in the ground. But Jeff Deck of Dennis uses a different model. This week on the Local Food Report, Elspeth visits the two greenhouses where he grows year round. She learns what varieties do well over the winter, and how he plants for a continuous harvest.
(This piece first aired in April, 2014)
Here is the recipe for the salad from the piece:
BUTTER CRUNCH SALAD WITH RICOTTA AND AVOCADO
I'm not sure this really qualifies as a recipe. It's the kind of thing I make up every day around noon, once the produce starts coming in. But it is delicious, and worth sharing if only for inspiration.
1 head freshly picked butter crunch lettuce
2 freshly pulled spring carrots
1/2 avocado
1/2 lemon
olive oil
sea salt
ricotta cheese (optional)
Wash the lettuce and tear it into bite size pieces. Slice the carrots thinly and toss them in a salad bowl with the lettuce. Cut the avocado into bite size pieces, scoop them out, and add those. Squeeze the lemon juice over top to taste, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Taste and adjust as needed. If you're using the ricotta, spread a few dollops around and dig in. As you eat the cheese will mix with the oil and become part of the dressing, which is okay. It's good that way.
Here is a list of opening dates for Cape farmers' markets:
Falmouth Farmers’ Market
Marine Park, Scranton Ave.
5/24 - Oct
Thursdays, Noon - 6pm
Mashpee Commons Farmers’ Market
32 Market St., next to Organic Market
6/24 - 9/30
Sundays, Noon - 3pm
Sandwich Farmers’ Market
The Village Green, 164 Route 6A
6/12 - Oct
Tuesdays, 9am - 1pm
Bass River Farmers’ Market
311 Old Main St., S. Yarmouth
6/14 - 9/8
Thursdays & Saturdays, 9am -1:30pm
www.bassriverfarmersmarket.org
Cape Cod Beer Farmers’ Market
1336 Phinneys Ln, Hyannis
5/25 - September
Fridays, 3pm - 6pm
Osterville Farmers’ Market
Osterville Historical Museum, 155 West Bay Rd.
6/22 - 9/14
Fridays, 9am - 1pm
www.ostervillefarmersmarket.org
Brewster Farmers’ Market
Windmill Village, 51 Drummer Boy Road,
6/24 - 9/9
Sundays, 9am - 1pm
Chatham Farmers’ Market
1652 Main St., Chatham
5/15 - 10/23
Tuesdays, 3pm-6:30pm
Harwich Farmers’ Market
Brooks Academy Museum, 80 Parallel St.
6/7 - 10/4
Thursdays, 3pm-6pm
Orleans Farmers’ Market
Summer- 21 Old Colony Way, Orleans
May - November
Saturdays, 8am - Noon
Winter- Nauset Middle School Cafeteria
70 Route 28, Orleans
Nov - April
Saturdays, 9am - Noon
Provincetown Farmers’ Market
Ryders St.
5/12 - 11/17
Saturdays, 9am-3pm
Truro Farmers’ Market
Veteran’s Field off Truro Center Rd.
6/4 - 8/27
Mondays, 8am - Noon
Wellfleet Farmers’ Market
Congregational Church, 200 Main Street
5/16 – 10/10
Wednesdays, 8am - Noon