Monday, July 20, 2009

Local diet update - July 20, 2009

Another wonderful weekend at the farmers' market! Sure it was hot, but the forecasted rain held off and made it a gorgeous morning (leaving us open for some MUCH needed rain on Sunday).

Available at this week's Brazos Valley Farmers' Market were:
Veggies: hot peppers, sweet peppers, a variety of tomatoes, yellow squash, winter squash, zucchini, onions, potatoes, purple hull peas, carrots, eggplant, green beans, cucumber, okra, herbs...

Fruits: cantaloupe, peaches, watermelon, dried apples...

Baked Goods: yeast breads, sweet breads, pies, cookies, cakes, corn bread, muffins, bagel bites, egg noodles, dog treats...

Canned Goods: jams, jellies, salsas, pickles, chow chow...

Other Foods: honey, eggs, cornmeal, grits, whole wheat flour, olive oil

Crafts: jewelry, liquid and bar soaps, aprons, pot holders, candles, pottery

Plants: a huge variety of decorative potted plants
Believe it or not, I was a good girl and made it through the entire market without spending a nickel! I'm going on holiday this week and the idea is to empty the fridge, right?

Ok. Well, I did barter a couple loaves of my homemade wheat bread for a few items, so although I didn't spend any money, I still came home with a few goodies like peppers, tomatoes, and squash (see photo above). Throw in some local rice from the pantry, the lambs-quarter and sweet potato leaves from the backyard, and a cucumber that I have left over from a friend's garden, I ought to be set for meals until I head out of town later this week. Goodbye 100+ degree weather. California, here I come!

So that's what was local here in Bryan, TX this week. Hope everyone has a wonderful week and as always, Happy (and mindful) eating!

5 comments:

ttammylynn said...

After evaluating my needs, I decided that I just didn't need anything on Saturday. I do need to ask about meat soon, even though consumption of meat is low while quick and easy salads and pb&js are at an all-time high. We're working on the local fruit including watermelons, honeydew, canteloupe, and apples. My cupboards were packed with salsa, pickles, coffee, and jellies. I have cucumbers, squash, malabar spinach, peppers, onions, and tomatoes of nearly every shape and size. Round that off with a few gallons of milk and some local meats in the freezer--well, I just didn't need anything. Vicki went out of town and gave her membership free reign of her backyard garden while she's away, so if I do need something, it is as close as a little drive to her house. Of course, my backyard has tomatoes, peppers, and malabar spinach to give as well as mint, oregano, rosemary, and garlic chives.
I'm about to start clearing garden space in anticipation of a fall garden. The heat has taken a toll on everything and I'm about ready to just start over.
Cathy wants to have a fall garden this year and since her husband took a severence package from his job, she will be able to recruit his help this go-around. I told her years ago that fall gardens are easier here because the summer heat is more difficult than the few frosts that we generally receive all of winter.
Anyhow, I'll let you know if anything comes of any of this.

Chile said...

Have a lovely, and cool, holiday!

hmd said...

Tammy - the summer heat is killing much of my garden too. It's very sad, but I'll start planting again in Aug/Sept and we'll try it again... Good luck with yours!

Chile - Thanks!

Angela said...

Oh my goodness, I hope it really is "goodbye 100 degree weather" when you visit California. We've been dying here in Los Angeles!

But it's supposed to "cool" back down to the low 80s by Wednesday, so I hope that's what you get on your visit. Low 80s now sounds heavenly to me.

hmd said...

Angela - We'll be way north of LA in San Jose and Santa Cruz (about 80 miles south of San Francisco). We've been watching the weather and it looks like a dream! Dave's there now and he says it's great. I'm REALLY looking forward to it!