Local diet update - Sunday, May 25

A full Saturday morning planned, I got up extra early to bike down to the Bryan Farmers Market. As I arrived, some of the vendors were just unloading, but others were ready and waiting for the crowds to flood the market just as they did last week. The vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables made a gorgeous bouquet that swept through the lot - a food lover's paradise to be sure!

I visited with vendors as they arrived. Charles from Long Bean Farm CSA was there, as was Amy (Jammin' Granny).  A first-timer was there too with those goodies you see in the photo. That was a basket's worth of fresh plums for $2!  Sold! And wow are they juicy! I finally finished up all those grapefruit I had (for the love of all that is good in the world may I not see another grapefruit for 6 months), so these plums are a very welcome addition to my menu. When Lois arrived, I walked over to help her unload and I met her husband for the first time (Mr. Lois).  I was hoping to get some peaches for a 9:00 rendez-vous to make more jam (after such a wonderful time making strawberry  jam a few weeks ago, Ruth and Liz asked Sharli and I to come back to make more), but Lois said we were another 2-3 weeks out for the rest of her trees. So I picked up some blackberries instead. Blackberry jam it is!  Three quarts of berries later, I moved on to identify a few supplemental veggies for the week. 

I say "supplemental" because on Friday afternoon my Dad came by with cucumber, zucchini, squash, onion, green beans, and peppers. Yes! The source of all these goodies? My sister's garden! My sister and her hubby are trying to live more off their own land (who can blame them with three kids and rising prices of EVERYTHING!) They have land out in Richards (about 30 miles from us) and have plans to raise chickens too! 

So back to the farmers market. I was just about set for the week with just the supplies from my sister's garden so I picked up a few tomatoes, some potatoes, more sage for my herb tea, and my weekly dozen eggs.  Obviously, the few things I bought were nothing compared to the wide range of foods and products for sale this week. There must have been a dozen vendors by the time I left (with others just arriving) selling flowers, honey, meat, eggs, leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash, eggplant, jellies and jams, green beans (lots of green beans!), onions, cabbage, yellow potatoes, red potatoes, cucumber, freshly baked bread, salsa, and even some handmade crafts! Who needs a grocery?

For our dairy needs, we picked up fresh raw milk and gouda from the Sand Creek Farm pickup location on Friday. I still have feta from last week (which was fabulous, by the way).

Pshew! My fridge is stocked and it's time to plan the menu! So here's what I have in mind:

Breakfasts:

• Homemade bagels or toast with fresh, local gouda or homemade jam
• Pumpkin or Amish Friendship breads, in case of a sweet tooth attack
• Homemade yogurt (from local milk)
• Fresh local fruit - plums obviously, but I also have dewberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries in the freezer

Lunches

• Veggie soup (just made this last night and the house smelled great) - peppers and onions sauteed in olive oil, then added spinach, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, oregano, basil, salt, pepper and water (plus I used the liquid that was saved the last few times I steamed veggies) and simmered on the stove for about 1-1/2 hrs. YUM! (all local except the salt, pepper, and olive oil)
• Homemade bread
• Fresh local fruit

Dinners

• Roasted veggie sandwiches - Homemade rolls toasted with just a bit of feta, topped with roasted zucchini and squash, spinach and tomato (all veggies and cheese local)
• Local eggs and homemade bread/toast
• Steamed potatoes and green beans (all local)
• Fried potatoes with onions and parsley, seasoned with a little olive oil and salt (all veggies and parsley local)

Anyone else drooling yet? Just sec, let me wipe off my keyboard. That's better. Anyway, I don't think we'll be starving this week or anytime soon. Yummy! Happy (and mindful) Eating!