close
close
orange

Fish and freeze-dried candy at the High Desert Farmers Market

Vaseline

Kathy Young
| Victorville Daily Press

The Thursday Farmers Market in Victorville has a comfortable atmosphere: the same location, hours, the arrangement of vendors around the lot behind the portable machines on the lower campus of Victor Valley Community College.

Dedicated shoppers have favorite “first stops” ─ coffee at Moo and Brew, Jitters or The Off Road Coffee Stop ─ and many people talk about how great it is to get breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner from the food court.

But there are also vendors offering something new and different to eat. Surprises abound, and we have two attention grabbers for Daily Press readers this week.

A castaway

Matt Merry owns this thriving wholesaler that sells fresh seafood at farmers markets throughout Southern California.

The seafood is available every other weekend at Helendale, Big Bear, Wrightwood and Twin Peaks and many other markets, and Matt wears many hats in organizing all the reps he sends out each week.

Matt is a fourth generation fresh fish and seafood supplier. His company is based in Los Angeles and has been in business for over 100 years.

Sales manager Josh Makris is usually on duty at the High Desert Farmers Market, where the canopy has been a fixture for seven years.

The seafood is fresh and wrapped in heavy-duty shrink wrap, sold by the pound and shipped to market in large ice chests. The shrimp are frozen.

The types of fish and seafood vary weekly due to what is caught and prepared by fishing boat crews, but at A Castaway Seafood each week the selection of ceviche, poke, fish, shellfish and other delicacies and the prices for each are displayed in the canopy. .

Ceviche is a Latin American creation with citrus-cured fish, fresh herbs and pepper flavors. Poke comes from Hawaii and has Asian flavors. Each comes in “bowls” and makes a delicious side dish or main meal.

Two types of salmon (Scottish and King), as well as Chilean sea bass and Alaskan halibut, are available. Smoked products are also offered.

If you are purchasing seafood and plan to go home right away, Josh will add ice to the bag containing your purchase. If you’re planning a major purchase or making other stops in town, he recommends bringing a cooler.

For all questions, call (949) 201-8872 or message on Instagram, @acastawayseafood.

Crazy goose

And now, for something completely different, meet Silly Goose, a regular farmer’s market vendor offering freeze-dried candy, a tasty and versatile treat.

The origin story of this company can be found on the High Desert Farmers Market website, but Silly Goose actually started when Michelle Rubio wanted to find a gig business so she could become a stay-at-home mom.

Her daughter helped research business opportunities, and when she discovered “freeze-dried candy,” she was intrigued.

She tried it out and then turned the case over to Michelle.

Even ‘Silly Goose’ was a family business.

Michelle named her own grandmother Granny Goose and decided that “goose” would work for her when she became a grandmother. One of her grandchildren added ‘Silly’ and the rest is history.

Michelle’s son Jacob Schafer is the friendly face at Silly Goose. He can answer all your questions.

In addition to experimenting with candies of all sizes, shapes and flavors ─ and discovering that some candies freeze dry better than others ─ Michelle now has three freeze dryers that work around the clock.

The process removes moisture, leaving a tasty bite with a more intense flavor and often a different texture.

Freeze-dried candy is also better for teeth because the candy dissolves quickly and leaves less residue, although brushing is still advised. The candy is also lightweight because it contains no water and has a long shelf life.

There is room for experiments here too. Freeze-dried candy can be a topping for baked goods or cereal and works well in a trail mix. It can also be used in craft projects.

Ice cream and chocolate-covered fruit can be freeze-dried, and marshmallows retain their appearance but become crunchy.

Prices range from $4 to $9 per bag. Also ask about the ‘Buy four, get one free’ deal.

Silly Goose is on Facebook and Instagram @sillygoosefoods, Sillygoosecandy.myshopify.com or 760-267-7681.

If you go

What: High Desert Farmers Market, 18244 Bear Valley Road, VVC lower campus.

When: Every Thursday, rain or shine, from 8am to 12pm.

Information: 760-247-3769, [email protected].

What: Big Bear Farmers Market: 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear.

When: Every Tuesday, April to September, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm

Information: highdesertfarmersmarket.com.

Dine around

If you would like to have a restaurant profiled in Dining Around, text/call 760-953-8682 or email [email protected].

Related Posts