Fishing Vessel St. Jude

This is Joyce, from Fishing Vessel St. Jude. They sell sustainably caught albacore at a number of farmers' markets, and also to some fine restaurants. They've been my neighbors at the Columbia City Market for many years.

She and her husband, Joe, fished together from their own boat for 12 years before starting a family and hiring a crew. Now they raise their 2 children and market their catch.

I'm a huge fan of their kippered albacore, which is marinated and then smoked, and also their canned tuna with jalapeno. My sister in Vermont loves their stuff as well. I cram my suitcase with it every time I visit her.

Zane and Zack's Gourmet Sauces

This is Steve, selling Zane and Zack's hot sauces at the Ballard Farmers' Market. I call him "Uncle Steve", because the company is named after his nephews.

The Zane and Zack folks are my neighbors at the Ballard Market, and they also supply me with hot sauce that I serve with my tamales and quesadillas. It gives them an extra opportunity to sample their product, and it gives me an extra condiment to offer.

Zane and Zack's is a family operation: Sam, the owner, names all of his products after family members. Their Three Brothers Habanero Sauce won the Taster's Choice Best in Show award at the Fort Worth Zest Fest last summer. It's great stuff, provided you like it hot, like I do.

Anitas Crepes

This is my friend Anita, making crepes. She makes wonderful crepes, using plenty of locally produced ingredients like cheese from Estrella Family Creamery and spinach from Willie Greens Farm.

She'll be opening a cafe in Ballard this spring, on Leary Way in the spot that used to be the Vacuum Shack. In the meantime, you can enjoy her crepes at the U District Market on Saturdays and at the Fremont and Ballard markets on Sundays.