Local seafood and Dungeness crab are all the rage in this week’s Iconic Market Box.
In this week’s Iconic Market Box, it is all about the Dungeness crab and seafood! The yummy crabs are from Lummi Island Wild, rated one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world, supporting wild populations for generations to come for us to enjoy. Along with smoked salmon chowder, a produce box featuring red potatoes, corn on the cob, lemons and dill, this box pays respect to the New England seafood bake – Pacific Northwest style!
Lummi Island Wild
Looking for reheating instructions or a crab cake recipe for your Dungeness crab? Click HERE.
Did you know that Washington is home to one of the greenest fisheries in the world? Based on Lummi Island, Lummi Island Wild Co-op is dedicated to sustainable and seasonal fishing using an incredibly special technique called reef netting. Reef netting allows crews to catch salmon off the local salmon run, while avoiding harm to the fish or killing by-catch through the process. It is a modern take on similar indigenous Native American fishing traditions. Their philosophy has led them to become a leader in sustainable fishing and has helped other smaller or micro-fisheries follow in their lead. Their efforts have also been recognized in various publications, including being featured in a documentary about food sustainability by Patagonia.
Dungeness crab makes its first-ever appearance in the Iconic Market Box, thanks to Lummi Island Wild. Each Iconic Market Box comes with two whole Dungeness crabs pre-cooked and frozen, making it easy to re-heat and enjoy. Ian Kirouac, General Manager and fisherman of Lummi Island Wild recommends steaming the crab for 4-8 minutes, then carefully picking the crab meat to be used for crab cakes. You can find reheating instructions and a great recipe for crab cakes in the link above. Watch a short interview with Ian and Savor Seattle tour guide Justin Oba HERE. Follow them on Instagram at @lummiislandwild
SeaBear Smokehouse
Smoked salmon has long been a Pacific Northwest treat and tradition. Founded in Anacortes, Washington in 1957, you may have tried SeaBear Smokehouse smoked salmon products before without knowing it! They are the featured smoked salmon at the Made in Washington store in Pike Place Market and Bellevue Square Mall and own other brand names that provide smoked products to fine dining restaurants and hotels nationwide. The name “SeaBear” refers to a Native American legend of a creature that is both part bear and part killer whale, which is appropriate considering both animals love salmon!
This week, SeaBear is providing two packets of smoked salmon chowder. It’s super easy to prepare! Simply add milk or cream, heat and serve to enjoy a taste of the Pacific Northwest. Find tender chunks of potatoes, corn and Wild Alaskan salmon are in this hearty chowder. Follow SeaBear Smokehouse on Instagram @seabearsmokehouse
Frank’s Quality Produce
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, there is no better place than Frank’s Quality Produce, located at the Corner Market Building of Pike Place Market. Three generations of the Genzales’ family have had a presence in the Pike Place Market, starting with Frank “Cheech” Genzale in 1928, and now Frank Jr., the current owner and operator of Franks’s Quality Produce. Locals choose this stall not just for the quality of produce, but because of the people that make this stall so special. It is not uncommon to find team members recommending recipes or describing flavors of veggies unfamiliar to those passing by. It is that kind of service that keeps locals loyal to their small business, and why we love working with this amazing family-owned operation.
Each week, Iconic Market Boxes include a box of produce, curated by Frank Jr. and his team. The produce changes based on availability and seasonality, ensuring that our customers get the best produce available – oftentimes much fresher and better than what can be found at the grocery store! Follow Frank’s on Instagram @franksqualityproduce
Le Panier
If you love the smells of fresh-baked croissants and French press coffee, then you will love Le Panier in Pike Place Market. Started in 1983, the bakery blends together precise French technique with the local bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Signature items include the classic French baguette, almond croissants, and macarons.
This week, we have a loaf of campagne bread. Also known as “country bread,” think of it as a French sourdough. The large loaf is perfect for slicing and enjoyed on its own. We recommend grilling or toasting it and then dipping it into the smoked salmon chowder. Or, enjoy with a slathering of your favorite jam or jelly. Follow Le Panier on Instagram @lepanierbakery
Woodring Northwest Specialties
If you’ve ever walked under the main arcade at Pike Place Market, you likely have also walked by Woodring Northwest Specialties. Operated by Dale Nelson and his family, Woodring gets its name from the Woodring Canyon in Cashmere, WA where Dale first started his business pressing apple cider from his family’s orchard. Now based in Monroe, WA, Woodring offers a variety of items such as honey, preserves, pickles, and more. Woodring sources its fruit from Pacific Northwest farmers and produces everything they make in small batches, ensuring the highest quality for their customers.
Woodring’s Cranberry Pepper Jelly has a sweet and peppery kick that is perfect for breakfast with your toast or paired with cheese and meats as a gourmet charcuterie snack. It can be used in both sweet or savory dishes, making it a product you are going to want to have on hand whenever the need arises. Try it on pork chops and pork tenderloin! Follow them on Instagram @woodringatpikeplace
Shug’s Soda Fountain & Ice Cream
If your sweet tooth calls you while you are in the Market area, then Shug’s Soda Fountain & Ice Cream is the place to visit. Started by Colleen Wilkie and Paul Dormann, the shop opened in May of 2016. Inside their shop, it is a mix of old school soda fountain nostalgia coming together with a modern Seattle twist. You will also notice a mural of the streets of London on it…a special nod to their daughter, named London.
Known for their Instagram-worthy sundaes and prosecco floats, the statewide shutdown and COVID-19 pandemic put a significant strain on their small ice cream business. Thankfully, Colleen’s creative ingenuity sparked a new concept – a sundae kit! It includes everything you need to recreate the Shug’s experience at home. Just be sure to B.Y.O.I.C (Bring Your Own Ice Cream)! Follow Shug’s Soda Fountain & Ice Cream on Instagram @shugssodafountain
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese is easily one of the most well-known brands born from Pike Place Market. Known for their long lines for mac and cheese and large viewing windows enabling passersby to view daily cheese-making, it is a no-brainer that we have been working with this business from the first day of Savor Seattle’s food tour operations, over thirteen years ago.
Started by Kurt Beecher Dammeier, their Pike Place Market location opened in 2003 and has since expanded to the Flat Iron District in New York City and even to Monroe, Wisconsin. Eating food without harmful additives or preservatives is critical to Kurt and is even part of the company’s credo: “Beecher’s Handmade Cheese makes foods only with ingredients we trust, are proud of, and would eat ourselves. It’s just authentic and original food, full of flavor.”
The Flagship Cheese is Beecher’s signature cheese and the first cheese developed at the Pike Place Market location. A combination of Cheddar and Gruyere cultures, it has a mild sharpness with nutty undertones and is aged for 15 months. It is a quintessential tasting on the Savor Seattle Signature Tour of Pike Place Market. Follow Beecher’s Handmade Cheese on Instagram @beecherscheese
Tom Douglas’ Rub With Love
One of the most renowned chefs of the Seattle food scene, Chef Tom Douglas’ restaurants have helped define just what Pacific Northwest food is all about. Many of Seattle’s prominent chefs have at one point or another has worked for Tom. He has been seen on Bravo’s Top Chef, eaten brunch with the late Anthony Bourdain, and even has his own weekly radio show and podcast on KIRO.
What many do not know about Tom is how special Pike Place Market is to him. His first job in Seattle was at the Café Sport – where Etta’s Seafood Restaurant now stands, located on the corner of Western Avenue and Virginia Street. Tom would be sent into Pike Place Market to gather the day’s fresh ingredients, where he got to know many of the vendors and producers at the famous market. It was those relationships that helped build the foundation for much of his success and understanding of what Pacific Northwest food is all about.
Tom Douglas’ Rub with Love is his way of bringing his famous flavors directly to your home. Using simple ingredients, the rubs and sauces lend great taste and flavor, turning an otherwise dull dinner into a culinary masterpiece. The Seafood Rub provided in this week’s Iconic Market Box is perfect for use with the Dungeness Crab and veggies. Follow them on Instagram @rubwithlove
Michou World Class Deli
A favorite among the crafts line vendors, artists, and pretty much everyone who works in the Pike Place Market, Michou World Class Deli makes another appearance in this week’s Iconic Market Box. Michou’s bounty of panni-style sandwiches, soups, dips, desserts, and salads are beloved for their use of great quality ingredients and tasty dishes, and lines are common in the morning and during the lunch rush. It is a favorite among tour guides, especially the one writing this blog post. 😊
Their homemade aioli is perfect to use as a topping for crab cakes and as a lemony zesty sauce for dipping your crab meat into! Follow Michou Deli on Instagram @michoudeli
Middle Fork Roasters
In 2009, a close-knit group of friends and coffee-lovers decided to put their passions first and began roasting coffee in the heart and soul of Seattle’s coffee scene. Since then, Middle Fork Roasters have been regularly active in their community, giving back whenever they can and working with other businesses to help make their own coffee dreams come true. In fact, Middle Fork Roasters are responsible for providing the beans to many businesses around Seattle, including those in Pike Place Market.
They created the Savor Seattle Blend for us! It is a combination of Brazilian and Sumatran beans, delivering a bold yet buttery body with rich chocolate undertones. This laid-back blend provides an incredibly clean finish that is perfect for easing into your morning routine. Every Iconic Market Box includes a 1 lb. bag of whole bean coffee. Follow them on Instagram @middleforkroasters
Order your Iconic Market Box today!
Local deliveries are available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The deadline to order is 1:00 pm the day before your desired delivery date. If you like this week’s Iconic Market Box collection, wait until you see next week’s box of goodies! We are bringing southern hospitality to the Pacific Northwest, thanks to the help of our friends at Honest Biscuits, Uli’s Sausage, and more! See next week’s collection HERE.
