Copper River salmon should arrive soon IN STORES: Fish could be at 10th & M Seafoods and New Sagaya markets today.

When the salmon start returning to the Copper River, you know it's a good week. Throw in an extra local farmers market opening up, and it gets even better.
The Copper River salmon fishery opened Monday and both John Jackson at New Sagaya Markets and Dannon Southall from 10th & M Seafoods say fish should be in the stores by today. (While fresh salmon needs no adornment, check out the recipe at the end of the story for a new twist.)
"Sounds like fishing was good yesterday with a fair amount of fish hitting the docks," Southall says. "The fishermen were able to get a good number of sockeyes with a few kings mixed in with them."
Both New Sagaya and 10th & M should have both sockeye and kings in the store today.
Jackson says the kings aren't coming on as strong as the sockeyes: "Kings are starting out slow again and availability is very limited, but the season is just starting so we will see what happens this year."
While the first of the year Copper River salmon are getting plenty of attention, Southall reminds shoppers to not forget the "other amazing Alaskan seafood available too." That includes: fresh halibut for $19.95 per pound for fillets and $18.95/pound for cheeks; fresh Prince William Sound spot shrimp for $16.95/pound and side-stripes for $10.95/pound; Gulf of Alaska we have fresh cod and rockfish fillets going for $5.95/pound and $8.95/pound respectively. Another salmon option is Southeast troll-caught kings for $14.95/pound for head-on fish and $18.95/pound for fillets.
While everyone is excited about fresh salmon, Jackson reminds shoppers that other options are plentiful. "The halibut is looking good this season, a lot of small fish, but great eating and easy to work with," he says. New Sagaya has fresh halibut in 10- to 20-pound sizes for $8.99/pound. They also have cod, rockfish and side-stripe shrimp. And they also have a supply of fish from other waters: cherrystone clams, squid, scallops, scups, and fresh big eye and yellow fin tuna from Hawaii.
Farmers markets
The Spenard Farmers Market joins the roundup Saturday, expecting a full market of 40 vendors along with live music.
Spokesperson Shannon Kuhn says the market will feature plenty of plant starts and fresh seafood, while Back Acres will be playing. Among the vendors will be Northern Lights Oysters and Chugach Farm, an off-the-grid homestead farm from Chickaloon with gluten free bread and homemade pestos.
Part of Saturday's kickoff celebration is a birthday bash for Joe Spenard. Special items will include Alaska grown carrot cupcakes and party favors from local Spenard businesses like Bella Boutique, Bear Tooth and Spenard Road House. Marketgoers will have a chance to win party favors.
The Spenard Market will be accepting food stamp Quest cards, one of just two markets in the state doing so during the summer market season.
For more information, visit www.spenardfarmersmarket.org.
There will be plenty going on the south side of town at the South Anchorage Farmers Market. Nancy Lampman says they will have loads of vendors and two special events: the Northrim Purple Plant contest and a Glacier Pilots booth with information and ticket packages for sale.
Among the vendors are plenty offering plant starts, including:
Glacier Valley Farm: Hanging strawberry baskets and hanging Tumbling Tomato planters.
Bearsden Gardens: Loads of herbs including Genovese, lemon, cinnamon, Thai, and globe basil; dill; parsley; cilantro; and tarragon; tomato starts; hanging baskets; and of perennial and annual flowers.
Mountain Organics: Vegetable and herb starter plants, including cilantro, lettuces and arugula. Joining the booth this week is Ellie VandeVisse of the Good Earth Gardening school and author of "Ask Mother Nature."
Gray Owl Farm: Plenty of component plants for filling in planters or boxes, along with hanging baskets and edible and aromatic "gourmet" geraniums. They also will perennials, including several varieties of ornamental grasses.
Other non-plant vendors include: Denali Kettle Corn with multiple varieties, including Parmesan and garlic, and English toffee; Arctic Choice with plenty of seafood including fresh halibut, troll-caught king salmon, sablefish fillets, side-stripe shrimp, cod and rockfish; Matanuska Creamery with cheese curds and other items; French Oven Bakery items including whole wheat cinnamon rolls; and Mat Valley Meats with a variety of meats and sausages.
At the Anchorage Farmers Market, about 10 vendors will gather, including: Arctic Organics, Seldovitsch Family Farm, Persistent Farmer, Matanuska Creamery, Bushes Bunches, Turkey Red Cafe, Three Bears Farm, Matanuska Gardens, Arctic Sun Gardening and Floriponics. Among the items available will be plant starts, hanging baskets, tomato plants, a few early greens, 2010 potatoes, local dairy products and fresh rustic breads.
The Center Market is open today and Saturday.
Duane Clark will be at the market with local beef, frozen Alaska seafood, local honey, popcorn and French Oven Bakery breads and sweets. Alex Davis of A.D. Farm will have plenty of pork cuts, including chops, roasts, steaks and sausage; chicken and duck eggs; jams; and storage parsnips.
Salmon with
maple-lemon glaze
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray
Preheat broiler.
Combine first four ingredients in a large zip-top bag. Add fish to bag; seal. Refrigerate 10 minutes, turning bag once.
Remove fish from bag, reserving marinade. Place marinade in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
Heat a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish evenly with salt and pepper. Coat fry pan with cooking spray. Add fish to pan; cook 3 minutes. Turn fish over. Brush marinade evenly over fish. Broil 3 minutes, or until fish flakes easily.
Yield: 4 servings.
Note: 287 calories, 14 g fat.
Source: "Mix and Match Low-Calorie Cookbook: 1,500 Calories a Day" by Cooking Light magazine (Oxmoor House, $24.95)

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Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. If you have a suggestion for a future Market Fresh column, please contact him at sedwards@adn.com.

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Local farmers markets
Today: Center Market, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., University Center mall
Friday: Palmer Friday Fling, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pavilion across from Visitor’s Center
Saturday: Anchorage Farmers Market, 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at 15th and Cordova in the Central Lutheran Church parking lot; Anchorage Market and Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Third Avenue between C and E streets; Center Market, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., University Center mall; South Anchorage Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Subway/Cellular One Sports Center at the corner of Old Seward Highway and O’Malley Road; Spenard Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Spenard Road and 26th Avenue
Sunday: Anchorage Market and Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Third Avenue between C and E streets