Monday, October 5, 2009

Local diet update - October 5, 2009

If I could only use one word to describe the local food forecast here at SGF, it would be overflowing!

First there's the backyard garden which is producing a seemingly endless supply of goodies: the multiplying onions are growing so quickly, many of them have already produced 5 and 6 green onions each; I have cured sweet potatoes stored in the closet ready to be eaten, more curing on the porch and 8 more plants waiting to be harvested; and then there's the green peppers that 2 months ago were beautiful, but fruitless and are now producing large plump peppers by the dozens. And that's just what is currently producing. So much more will be ready for harvest before we know it.

Second, as I mentioned my update last week, I bartered a loaf of my homemade bread for a big bag of peppers, zucchini, and eggplant. Although I cooked them up late last week into a stove-top casserole, I still have plenty of that leftover casserole to feed me well into this week. Seriously! Look at that fridge, full of local eggs, fruits, casseroles, and veggies...

Third, I steamed a big pot of potatoes, carrots, and green beans for Dave last week. Unfortunately, Dave's been feeling a little under the weather, so I'll probably end up eating these local goodies (all from the farmers' market) so that they don't go to waste. Tough sacrifice, I know, but someone has to do it...

Fourth, my pantry is still bursting with home-canned soups, corn, and pasta sauce (all local), as well as plenty of local brown rice just waiting to be added to my next meal.

Finally, I picked up a nice big Texas watermelon at the grocery to take care of fruit for the week.

So that's all that's local, but...

Last Thursday's Veg*n group pot-luck left me with tons of yummy vegan (although not-local) leftovers like two kinds of dip, chips, and lots of fresh fruit. Those veg*ns know how to make good food. Yum!

Wow! Anyone want to help me eat all this stuff? I have to say, this 100 day challenge has been pretty easy so far. I'm allowed to buy fruit, but with all these other goodies packing the pantry, garden, and fridge, who needs anything else?

And we haven't even talked about the farmers' market! Needing a week off from my farmers' market duty, I didn't host a booth, but still biked over to barter my bread for some whole wheat flour and pick up a few veggies for Dave. Knowing so much food was waiting for me at home, it wasn't hard to stick to the grocery list and as you can see, my take-home haul was modest - carrots, potatoes, and whole wheat flour. That little black and white bar is soap. Rumor has it that if you put it on a fishing lure, it helps attract fish. We'll be giving it to my dad for a test run...

Despite my modest purchases and bartered goods, there was still lots to buy at the farmers' market though. So for those of you readers who like to hear about what our market is offering, here's the scoop...
Veggies and Fruits: red potatoes, yellow onions, green onions, spaghetti squash, sprouts, spring mix, greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, green beans, a variety of hot and sweet peppers, okra, spinach, herbs, purple hull peas, patty pan squash, dried apples, and pears

Baked Goods: yeast breads, cookies, pound cake, carrot cake, croutons, cheesecake bars, pecan bars, dog treats

Canned Goods: jams, jellies, salsas, pickles, chow-chow, relish, veggies, chutney, veggies

Other Foods: cornmeal, grits, wheat flour, eggs, honey, hot pepper sauce, jalapeno oil, locally-roasted peanuts

Non-Food Items (hand-crafted): soaps, lotions, perfumes, stained glass art, decorative plants, fruit trees, gourds, aprons, greeting cards, t-shirts, jewelry, candles, pot holders, pillows, stuffed animals, and pottery
So that's what's local here at SGF and the BCS community. There's only one thing left to do... dig in!

Have a great week, everyone. And, as always, Happy (and mindful) eating!

2 comments:

Sam said...

Wow you're doing really well! If I biked over, I'm sure I could help you eat all those goodies.

hmd said...

Awesome! Come on over :)