2014-0809 Farmer’s Market

Hi all –

Yesterday I wandered over to the Farmer’s market near Vallco because we needed some good fruit.  I suppose you could say that we already had an adequate supple of bad fruit.  Also we wanted to get some fresh green beans.  In past years, I’ve grown my own but didn’t put any in this year.  The reason why, of course, was that it’s good to let the ground lie fallow for a year.  This sounds better than the real reason which is that I was lazy.

As usual, there were many people already engaged in picking over the produce and making comparisons between the different vendors.  Why buy strawberries for $3 a basket here when further down the row, another vendor sells them for $2.50?  Also, if you enjoy just being with people ( a people watcher), it’s a fun place to be.  I notice people looking through the produce, wondering what criteria they are using to find the best ones. 

Farmer’s markets are a great place to buy local, fresh, organic food.  But I must admit that much of what is sold is food that I don’t recognize.  As our area diversifies, I’m seeing fruits and vegetables which are new to me.  For instance, bitter melon.  The name alone makes me wonder why anyone would eat it.  It must taste bitter, right?

So I am thinking that it would be a nice challenge to learn about some of these new items and learn how to use them to expand my culinary repertoire.  Currently I am able to open up a can of soup and heat it on the stove all by myself.  I know, pretty impressive.  I don’t like to brag ( liar!) but I can also make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. 

Now here’s a simple dish that I enjoy.  Buy a butternut squash and a yam.  Peel both and remove the seeds from the squash.  Cut everything up into 1-1/2” cubes and steam it until it is soft.  Mash it altogether and enjoy!

You can also make healthier mashed potatoes in the same way.  Buy a head of cauliflower and 2 white potatoes.  Peel the potatoes, chunk them up, chunk up the cauliflower and again steam everything until soft.  Mix it all up and you have faux mashed potatoes. 

So if you’ve never been to a farmer’s market before, google “farmers markets” and find one near you.  Then, take some shopping bags and go explore!

Bon appetit!

Kevin

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