Are you ready for some fresh, local produce? Opening day of the farmers’ market is 3:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 17, downtown on Main Street. Yes, we have moved. Main Street will be blocked off from Fourth Avenue to Third Avenue every Thursday for the farmers’ market. This Thursday expect to find a variety of vendors with a wide assortment of products such as rhubarb, asparagus, green onions, homemade salsa, pickles, jams and jellies, honey, eggs, poultry, lamb, beef, and baked goods to jewelry, and glass art. See you there.

We would like to thank SuperFresh Gardens for helping us put on a wonderful event this past Thursday, “It’s All About Community.” Also thank you to Apollo Liquor for supplying local Minnesota wine and to Piggy Blues for some spectacular barbecue. And finally, thank you to all who came and made the event a success. We appreciate you.

Are you looking for something new to do with that Rhubarb? I have just the thing. Strawberry Rhubarb Salsa. Give it a try, you might like it.

Strawberry Rhubarb Salsa
2 stalks of rhubarb (toxic leaves and roots discarded.) thinly sliced
1 cup sugar
¾ cup water
1 bunch of cilantro
zest of 1 lime
4 cups of strawberries
1 shallot
1 serrano chili
sea salt

Bring sugar and water to a boil over medium high heat. Stir gently to dissolve sugar, and boil for five minutes. Add a large handful of cilantro and the lime zest and boil for five more minutes. Strain the cilantro lime syrup into a mason jar and add sliced rhubarb. Cool for at least one hour before refrigerating. Then refrigerate for 24-48 hours. Remove tops from well-rinsed berries. Finely dice the strawberries into quarter inch pieces and add to a bowl. Drain the rhubarb and dice into eighth inch pieces, and add to the strawberries. To the strawberry & rhubarb mix, add 3 tablespoons finely minced shallot, one finely diced serrano chili (seeds removed if you want to avoid the heat), one large handful finely chopped cilantro, and mix well. Add smoked sea salt to taste and serve with crispy tortilla chips.

The Austin Area Farmers’ Market is open 3:30 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, downtown, Main Street; 3:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays at Oak Park Mall; and 9:30 to 11:30 am Saturdays, Oak Park Mall. We accept all major credit cards and EBT.