What a weekend! We wrapped up a fabulous visit with my mom and step-dad (from Mississippi) that included my homemade pizza, lemon cake, and that beautiful farmers' market watermelon I picked up a week ago; as well as a trip to the farmers' market, the frame and art gallery that features local artists, and an old fashioned soda shop for a cool treat. I also taught my mom to can spaghetti sauce using the water bath method and showed her how I make my homemade 100% whole wheat bread (and sent some home with her of course).Instead of hosting my booth at the farmers' market, some of the other volunteers and I handed out fliers about recycling options at the farmers' market at the bi-annual county Household Hazardous Waste Collection event (more here). Then Sunday offered a new Brazos Locavores field trip, this time to a peach orchard just north of Bryan (more on that tomorrow).
Long story short, this weekend was full of friends, family, community, and absolutely amazing food. I did manage to make it to the farmers' market for a few fresh goodies like whole wheat flour, 2 onions, wild grape jelly, and apples.
I managed to keep my purchases modest, but it was more out of necessity than self control. Still packing the fridge and pantry shelves are plenty more of that watermelon, eggs, potatoes, carrots, and green beans (all local) from previous farmers' markets; all the goodies from the backyard garden like tomatoes, lambs-quarter, collard greens, swiss chard, lettuce, cucumber, basil, and sage; brown rice from Alvin, TX; and all my home-canned, all local foods like spaghetti sauce, corn, beans, soup, stewed tomatoes, and a variety of jams. Anybody hungry? There's plenty to share...
Here's a photo of some of what I've harvested out of the backyard this week: lambs-quarter (it was getting out of control and just HAD to be trimmed) and sweet potato leaves (I found out a couple weeks ago they eatable so we're going to give them a shot). With some of the chard I still have in the fridge, I should have some wonderful stir fries this week!
Of course, I couldn't quite get away from the peach orchard without a few peaches, so breakfast is sure to be sweet. And a friend brought by some cucumber, eggplant, tomatoes, a spaghetti squash, and 2 melons. Wow! Talk about bursting at the seams...
So that's what's local on our shelves this week. Be sure to watch for this week's Market to Table post to see what becomes of all these local goodies. Until then, have a great week everyone.
And as always... Happy (and mindful) eating!
3 comments:
What a great weekend! Kelsey looks mighty comfy there
It sounds like you had a wonderful visit from your parents, and how awesome that you taught your Mom how to can spaghetti sauce and make bread. I bet that was a lot of fun and perhaps a bit weird since Mom's usually show US how to do things, not the other way around.
I hear you about having to go light at the farmer's market. Not only was I looking for a little kitchen break this week, but I still had some goodies from the previous weekend's market still waiting to be used.
Beany - It was great! And it didn't take Kelsey long to get cozy with her Nana :)
Jennifer - I know. It was weird to have her ask me how to do things like that. Totally backwards from what you'd expect, but how wonderful to have the opportunity to share something with my mom!
As the week progresses, I'll probably give a few things away. There's only so much we can eat and I'd hate anything to go to waste (although it'll make compost), but I'd rather someone eat it. The real pressure will be hosting my booth at next week's market and buying absolutely nothing...
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