Find fresh and local food, products, perennials and fun every Friday at the market.  For more information :northberwickfarmersmarket.org

So last Friday it was off to North Berwick in search of local food options.

First stop was Carpe Diem Coffee on Route 9, on the right a little ways beyond Pratt & Whitney.  Carpe Diem is a locally owned coffee roaster and distributor.  You can purchase Carpe Diem coffee by mail or in local retail outlets, such as Nature’s Way Market.  At the Carpe Diem company store in North Berwick you can buy the coffee directly from the owners.  Our favorite brews are two of their fair trade organic selections, French Roast and Foggy Morning Blend.  Another plus of going to the company store is that we bring bring back our Carpe Diem coffee bags and they refill them and give us a discount for reusing the bags.  We like that, one less thing in our PAYT bags for the transfer station and less plastic used.  Best of all, the coffee is really good.

Next stop was the North Berwick Farmer’s Market at Town Hall in the center of town.  While I was at Carpe Diem, a tremendous thunder storm had raced by, dumping what seemed like buckets of rain and with some dramatic bolts of lightning.  When I got to the Farmer’s Market, the vendors were setting up a second time after having been forced into their cars and trucks by the storm. As they cheerfully set about resetting up their booths and drying things off, shoppers streamed into the parking lot.   I left with a jar of local honey, a big bunch of cilantro, beet greens, garlic scapes, and some Buddha’s Burning Buns Granola, made in South Berwick, and was on my way.  This new farmer’s market offers a nice selection, it is worth checking out.

Next stop was Riverside Farm Stand. I had intended to pick my own strawberries there but the storm had rained out that possibility.  I was able to get some just picked berries and some fresh asparagus though.

Then I was back in South Berwick with a quick stop at Nature’s Way Market for some locally grown hot house tomatoes, some Stoneyfield Yogurt, and some organic black beans.

Here’s how that food appeared on our table:

The official breakfast of the 236 diner:
Carpe Diem coffee, Burning Buddha’s Buns Fruit & Nut Granola, with lowfat plain yogurt and freshly picked Maine strawberries from Riverside Farm.  yum!  I have granola and yogurt almost every day, but it is never as good as when I have fresh, just picked fruit.

Asparagus and Black Bean Burritos
We made this up because we had some leftover tortillas and the cilantro from the Farmer’s Market cried out for something with a Mexican flair.

I pan roasted a diced onion, about a cup of frozen corn, and the asparagus in two inch cuts in some olive oil, salt and pepper until they were tender and slightly caramelized.

I made a salsa with a diced tomato, black beans, finely chopped jalapenos, chopped garlic, a big bunch of chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper.

After sprinkling some grated Monterey Jack cheese on a tortilla and heating it for a few seconds in the microwave, I topped it with layer of the roasted asparagus mixture and a generous amount of the salsa and rolled up the whole thing burrito style.

It was lighter and fresher tasting than a traditional restaurant style burrito and the asparagus gave it an unexpected flavor that blended well with the more traditional corn, beans, and cilantro.  I will make this again.

Portobello and Garlic Scape Pesto Flatbread Pizza
I wasn’t going to buy the garlic scapes. which are the first green growth of garlic that farmer’s trim off to encourage further growth.  The farmer convinced me I should try them, and a quick internet search back home showed me that these are a much anticipated spring treat that I was lucky to be able to purchase.  They came with a sheet of recipes, including one for garlic scape pesto.  It is made exactly as a basil pesto, a blend of olive oil, pine nuts, salt, Parmesan cheese, but with chopped garlic scapes in place of the basil.  It looked like guacamole when it was made and had a light fresh garlic scent.

I made some pizza dough and let it rise while we went off to do some shopping for a home maintenance project.  A quick stop at Nature’s Way Market on the way home netted us baby Portobello mushrooms and some goat cheese to complete the pizza.

When we got home the pizza dough was ready. I rolled it out flatbread style, thin and irregularly shaped, and spread a layer of garlic scape pesto over it and topped it with some sauteed portobellos and some goat cheese.

The garlic scape pesto was wonderful; garlicky but with a freshness that is different than mature garlic.  Now I have another spring food to look forward to!

Carpe Diem Coffee Roasting Co
150 Wells St, North Berwick, ME

North Berwick Farmer’s Market
Town Hall parking lot, North Berwick, ME,  Every Friday, 3 – 6 PM

Riverside Farm Stand and Greenhouse
Rt 4 North Berwick ME, 207-676-2648 (Call for info on pick-your-own strawberries, they are opening the field in between the rains)

Celebrate all that is good about Maine: the taste of blueberries, potatoes, lobster and bean hole baked beans!  …the sounds of local bands and Maine’s own famous Don Campbell Band!  …live demonstrations and many children’s activities!   …shopping that area artisans have to offer!

Food at The Celebrate Maine:
Highlights include the “Summer Grill” which will feature authentic Bean Hole Baked Beans, Cabot Cheddar Cheeseburgers, Sheilds Hot Dogs and renowned marinated steak tips & chicken breasts from The Meat House. Maine lobster rolls, Maine steamed lobsters and corn on the cob. Brown’s Old Fashioned ice cream, Congdon’s Donuts and the world-renowned, homemade strawberry & Wyman’s Wild Maine blueberry shortcake made with Bakewell Cream can be enjoyed at the “Maine Eats & Treats” segment.  The ever-popular “Shipyard Brew Pub Beer Garden” makes a welcome return, offering a selection of their award-winning beers & ales as well as a variety of Capt’n Eli’s Soda. Much more…

Schedule of Events:
Saturday, August 9 - Gate open from 10 to 4
Admission: $4.00 per person, Children 12 and under are free.
10:00am to 4:00pm
All Day Activities: Craft Show  – Gateway Farmer’s Market -Cow Patty Bingo – Displays & Info from The Maine Department of Agriculture, York Land Trust and others  -  A rock climbing wall -Train Rides in the Raitt Farm barrel train ($4 per ride) -Crafts, Games and demonstrations for children  -Face painting -  Pony rides from Lyman Hill Farm ($4 per person) -Horse drawn wagon rides (free)
10:00 to 12:00: Live Entertainment:  Simons & Goodwin – contemporary and traditional folk and country with a smattering of soft rock and silliness
11:00: “Raising of The Beans” - Bill’s Famous Beans will come up from the bean pit.  Check out the display by the Maine Folklife Center.
12:00 to 3:00: Live Entertainment:  The Don Campbell Band

Sunday, August 10 -Gate open from 10 to 4
10:00 to 2:00:  Antique Car Show by TSC Car Club   9:00 to 12:30: Registration, 2:00: Cruise
10:00: Chef Jeff of FOX23, My Fox Maine, will sample his lime tarts with Wyman’s Wild Maine Blueberry compote.
10:00am to 4:00pm
All Day Activities: Craft Show  – Gateway Farmer’s Market -Cow Patty Bingo – Displays & Info from The Maine Department of Agriculture, York Land Trust and others  -  A rock climbing wall -Train Rides in the Raitt Farm barrel train ($4 per ride) -Crafts, Games and demonstrations for children  -Face painting -  Pony rides from Lyman Hill Farm ($4 per person) -Horse drawn wagon rides (free)
10:00 to 12:00: Live Entertainment -Paul Joyce – Award winning musician who plays, sings, and picks traditional country music
12:00 to 3:00: Live Entertainment – Four Father’s of Rock - They are all fathers who’ve come together and are celebrating their love of Rock & Roll
3:00 to 4:00: Live Entertainment – The Nerve - playing original Rock & Roll inspired by everyone from Elvis to the Beatles and The Who! Closing out the festival with a bang!!Please bring your lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the music on! Sorry, NO COOLERS.
Presented by: The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce and The Raitt Homestead Farm Museum  — Tickets are $4 pp per day, children 12 & under FREE.
Call 207-363-4422

The Front Street Market at the Salmon Falls Mills in Rollinsford kicks off today from 9 am until mid afternoon.  Artists, craftspeople, and growers will be offering their wares, there will be music all day. Rollinsford Fire Department is providing a fire engine for children to explore from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Front Street and Lower Mill restaurants will be serving breakfast. Story-telling will be held in the new Rollinsford Public Library, located in the Lower Mill. Childrens crafts will be in the Upper Mill. FigTree Café (located daily in the Lower Mill) will provide a brisquet in the grill area from noon – 3 p.m.

Hamilton House offers the third concert in its Sundays in the Garden series:  July 20: Omalley’s Alley.  Including bassist Tom Martin and drummer Gene Guth of the popular seacoast R& B band Rhythm Method and guitarist Justin Walton of Dreadnaught,  this ensemble will reach into each other’s repertoire to give material by artists such as Booker T & the MG’s and George Harrison their unique stamp.  The concert begins at 4:00 p.m.  Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for Historic New England members and children, free for Historic New England Garden and Landscape Members.  Concert goers are welcome to bring their own chair or blanket and picnicking is encouraged.  In case of rain, concerts are held in the garden cottage.

A portion of Route 91 will be closed to traffic starting July 23  through Aug. 30 for culvert work. Local traffic will have access to their homes but the road will be closed to through traffic from Pudding Lane at the York Corner end to Scotland Bridge Road. Traffic will be diverted down Route 1 to Beech Ridge Road and then to Scotland Bridge Road. The Town of York website has more details.

Nature’s Way Market is offering locally grown produce this summer.  Last night I had local baby squash and crispy cucumbers from local farms that I got at the Market. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.

Feel like getting away from Maine this summer?  Head to the Jamaican Jerk Center, 1400 Route One in York (Cape Neddick) to be transported to the Caribbean.  This jerk stand serves up chicken, pork, and rib jerk (spiced and marinated meats) served with rice and plaintains as well as goat curry and Ackee and Saltfish, Jamaica’s national dish, if you are feeling adventurous.  Food is packed to go for take away or for eating at the picnic tables and hammocks set up around the stand.  The Boston Reggae band, Counscious plays every Saturday night until Labor Day.  It will make you dance, mon.

There’s a new restaurant in the Kittery Foreside area.  Tulsi serves up Indian specialties based on fresh and local foods in a sophisticated atmosphere decorated with the rich colors of Indian spices and bold abstract art.  It’s at 2 Government Ave. in Kittery.  I was delighted by their mussels served in a rich and spicy curry sauce accompanied by a warm crispy naan bread.  I also had a vegetable korma that had fresh corn in it.  Chef Rajesh Mandekar says they try to use as much local fish and produce as possible to create traditional Indian flavors with a Maine flair.

You’ll find an assortment of food, baked goods, handmade products, organically grown produce and much more.  Go on Tuesdays and you’ll see two South Berwick residents.

Buddha’s Burning Buns, owned by South Berwick resident Jane Adams offers cookies, muffins, breads, granola & other assorted baked goods.  You can also find Jane’s products at Nature’s Way Market.

South Berwick resident Hope Murphy‘s booth, fuZing!, showcases her unique fused glass jewelry.  These one of a kind pieces shimmer with color and pattern.

 ll