Patch Picks For The Farmers Market: July 5

The Farmers Markets are now in full swing. Close to 3,500 people attended last Tuesday's Farmers Market, so if you haven't put a stop at the market on your Tuesday or Sunday "to do" list, now is time to do it!

For this week at the market, you'll see an ample amount of cherries. Lyall Farms has black tartarian cherries for $2.99 a pound and for those cult followers of Rainier cherries, you can get them from this farm for $4.50 a pound.

You can eat them straight out of the bag on your way home from the market, of course, or you can create a super-simple (promise) dessert of cherry cobbler. I have been making it for years and it takes just a few ingredients: flour, sugar, milk, baking soda (I have been known to substitute Bisquick....shhhhhhh).

One of Renton's favorite coffee shops, , is the perfect example of what to do with your market bounty. Each week, they choose a fresh market ingredient for a special 'cupcake of the week.' I was seriously inspired to learn that they have created huckleberry cupcakes and rhubarb cupcakes so far. Stop in for a cup of java and find out what this week's offerings are.

Had a long day at work? Don't want to cook Tuesday night? Why don't you take home a pizza from Zaw Artisan Pizza. You can create your own unique pie, if you like, or choose one of their specials such as bacon, broccoli and cheddar, or a rhubarb patch.

They have gluten-free and vegan options.

Zaw also has a new favorite or bake at home cookies. 

This week's special pizza of the week is potato, sausage and kale with roasted red pepper cream sauce.

Want a late lunch or early dinner while listening to the tunes at the market? Try Los Chilangos. They have a outstanding selection of Mexican fare, including taquizas, tacos and huaraches — in pork, chicken, or beef. Order are taken in half-size or full-size portions.

Not looking for a complete meal, but something to add a little zing to your next culinary creation? A brand new vendor to both the Tuesday and Sunday market, Aldrich Farms, is an award winner.

They won the gold medal in a national mustard competition. Yes, there is such a thing — and there is also a Mustard Museum, located in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin (Yes, I do keep strange random facts in my head)!

Richard Buford, owner of Aldrich Farms, said the award was a fluke. He had no intention of entering a competition until he was prodded by a friend and customer to do so.  He thought they weren't "big enough" to compete, but he went ahead and entered his sweet/hot mustard and his apple chip mustard.

The director of the National Mustard Museum one of the judges pronounced the fruit mustard the best he'd ever had, Buford said.

The sweet/hot mustard went on to win the gold medal, and the apple chip mustard won third place, and you can get it right here in Renton. It is to die for with sausages, and an amazing accompaniment to pretzels.

In addition to mustard, Aldrich offers raspberry and plum chipotle sauces, apple pepper sauces, jams and marinades, and a raspberry habanero sauce.

Up for this week: jalapeno mustard, garlic mustard and sweet bourban molasses.