Fresh Item of the Week

	It's getting to be boiling weather! Spring in New Orleans is one of our favorite times of the year, possibly because we don't sweat so much when gathered around a big boiling pot of crabs or crawfish. Between CCFM seafood vendors Kay Brandhurst, Jeannie Fonseca and Clara Gerica there are vibrant blue live crabs, fatty soft-shell crabs and fresh picked crabmeat at the market right now. The past couple of Tuesdays Jeannie's also had a limited supply of fresh turtle meat, and Atchafalaya Basin crawfish are right around the corner, which is one of our indicators that Spring has officially sprung!

Tuesday Market, March 29, 2011 | 9 am - 1 pm

Uptown New Orleans | 200 Broadway Street at the River

Forte Grove does a great job of making even their healthiest breads (whole wheat multigrain and whole wheat baguettes) absolutely delicious. Still, it's tough to resist their picture perfect traditional braided challah. Soak thick slices of challah in a whisked mixture of Smith's Creamery milk, farm eggs, locally grown orange zest if there are still any in the fridge, a little of Paw Paw's honey, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Brown the slices on both sides in a skillet and top with sifted powdered sugar and Steen's cane syrup.

	Get 'em while they're hot! Woody Ruiz makes his last appearance of the month as our Tuesday Market resident chef. Come out for fresh-caught fish tacos, Louisiana shrimp and pulled pork tacos, all with spicy remoulade sauce and crunchy coleslaw, and find out when/where you can catch Woody on down the road.

Thursday Market, March 31, 2011 | 3 pm - 7 pm

Mid-City New Orleans | 3700 Orleans Avenue at the Bayou

Back by popular demand! LSU nursing students return to the Thursday market to give free blood pressure screenings. Come take advantage of this free community health offering and pick up some fresh, healthy, local food to help get those numbers in check - or keep them there!

Saturday Market, April 2, 2011 | 8 am - 12 noon

Downtown New Orleans | 700 Magazine Street at Girod

April showers bring May flowers. They can also help conserve resources and lower water bills. Learn how to make the most of April showers this Saturday. Emily Morrison of Trouser House, an urban farm + contemporary art gallery on St. Claude and previous Crescent Fund recipient, teaches shoppers (Marketeers and grown-ups alike!) about the rain catchment barrels she fabricates and custom systems she can install.

Recipe of the Week

Support local fishing families during Lent by purchasing a share of Pete and Clara Gerica and their Lake Pontchartrain Fisherman's Association friends' catch. Pay in advance for one or more weekly shares, then pick them up at our Thursday Mid-City CCFM for Lenten Friday seafood dishes. Last week's share included two soft-shell crabs for making a smaller portion of this Soft-shell Crab Pasta, plus a pack of hand-peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp. This week's? Whatever's fresh off the boat! Click here for more information and become a fan of Crescent City Supported Fisheries for share contents and the latest from the Gerica family.