The Market
The West Linn Farmers Market has a unique feel to it. For one thing it is an evening market running from 5 PM to 8 PM on Wednesdays. The setting is a little different too. 
The market is nestled into the parking strip along a couple of blocks on Willamette Drive in what Lori and I call the old West Linn. Old in this case is synonymous with quaint, established and in no way run down or shoddy. This is a nice area with many upscale merchants along both sides of the street. One thing we noticed was how the local merchants and the farmers market merchants seem to have really made an effort to compliment one another. The local merchants bring their products out onto the sidewalks and offer "farmer's market" specials in a festive, cooperative way that felt like a true community effort. No where else have we seen the established businesses and farmers market businesses so well integrated.
The market is nestled into the parking strip along a couple of blocks on Willamette Drive in what Lori and I call the old West Linn. Old in this case is synonymous with quaint, established and in no way run down or shoddy. This is a nice area with many upscale merchants along both sides of the street. One thing we noticed was how the local merchants and the farmers market merchants seem to have really made an effort to compliment one another. The local merchants bring their products out onto the sidewalks and offer "farmer's market" specials in a festive, cooperative way that felt like a true community effort. No where else have we seen the established businesses and farmers market businesses so well integrated.The farmers market merchants themselves were also unique to the market for the most part. We saw our first Hula Hoop booth complete with a mermaid. 
There were some small home based canned fruit vendors and a homemade "all natural" doggy biscuit vendor. We purchased some peanut butter flavor doggy biscuits. The maker testified that the biscuits were human tested and really quite tasty. We took his word for it. The market has a different theme each week that can be found on their website to keep things interesting. This week's theme was "Berry Explosion". So, of course, we picked up some fresh obsidian blackberries and raspberries. The growers tell us marrionberries are still a few weeks out. We also bought some pizza bread from Yummy Tummy Oasis. Don't let the pizza word fool you. These people are serious about their organic ingredients. Some of the ingredients listed on the package are; Flax seeds, buckwheat, Irish moss, agave, and live active culture, as well as some more common ingredients like sunflower seeds, olive oil and bell peppers. I gotta tell you this stuff is delicious. No fooling. Side benefit, it's good for you.
There were some small home based canned fruit vendors and a homemade "all natural" doggy biscuit vendor. We purchased some peanut butter flavor doggy biscuits. The maker testified that the biscuits were human tested and really quite tasty. We took his word for it. The market has a different theme each week that can be found on their website to keep things interesting. This week's theme was "Berry Explosion". So, of course, we picked up some fresh obsidian blackberries and raspberries. The growers tell us marrionberries are still a few weeks out. We also bought some pizza bread from Yummy Tummy Oasis. Don't let the pizza word fool you. These people are serious about their organic ingredients. Some of the ingredients listed on the package are; Flax seeds, buckwheat, Irish moss, agave, and live active culture, as well as some more common ingredients like sunflower seeds, olive oil and bell peppers. I gotta tell you this stuff is delicious. No fooling. Side benefit, it's good for you.
The TableSome of the berries didn't even make it back to the ranch and served as hors d oeuvres during the drive home. For dinner we made black bean hummus, and put it on top of the pizza bread with chopped tomatoes and cucumbers. Quick and easy. Dinner was rounded out with some fresh Alaska salmon from a friend. 
Black Bean Hummus recipe
1 each, 15 oz can of black beans and garbanzo beans2 cloves garlic2+ tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cumin
A little water to control consistency
Salt and Pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients (except the water) in a food processor or blender until smooth. Use additional olive oil and the water to get to the consistency you like. Walla! Home made hummus without Tahini. Use as you would any hummus or dip. We like to top with cucumber, tomatoes, feta, and toasted pine nuts.
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cumin
A little water to control consistency
Salt and Pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients (except the water) in a food processor or blender until smooth. Use additional olive oil and the water to get to the consistency you like. Walla! Home made hummus without Tahini. Use as you would any hummus or dip. We like to top with cucumber, tomatoes, feta, and toasted pine nuts.
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