Local diet update - August 31, 2009

After a very LONG, HOT summer (literally 10 weeks' of 100 degree temps), we got a bit of a break. Saturday was cooler with a beautiful breeze - perfect for lounging outside at the farmers' market.

I'm impressed that at this time a year, when it's hard to keep ANY plant alive in Central Texas, that we still have such an amazing harvest. And there's no better place to experience the thrill of the harvest than the local farmers' market.

So what was available at this weekend's Brazos Valley Farmers' Market?

Veggies: tomatoes, potatoes, bulb onions, green onion sets, carrots, cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, green beans, a variety of hot and sweet peppers, okra, spinach, herbs, purple hull peas, black eyed peas, tomatillos, yard long beans

Fruits: pears, dried apples, cantaloupe

Baked Goods: cheesecake bars, pecan bars, pound cake, cornbread, dog cookies

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

Other Foods: cornmeal, wheat flour, eggs, olive oil, honey, locally-roasted coffees

Non-Food Items: jewelry, pottery, pot holders, decorative plants, soaps, roll-on perfumes, body cream, decorative hats

Of course, my personal haul wasn't nearly as vast, but still impressive. I came home with (whether bought, bartered, or given) whole wheat flour, seed potatoes (for planting next month), peppers, jalapeno oil, basil, carrots, tomatoes, pears, red potatoes (these ones are for eatin'), olive oil, and salsa.

When you add in the fact that we have local soups, pasta sauce, peas, corn, a variety of jams, and rice lining the pantry shelves, and local eggs and jelly in the refrigerator, we're ripe for another week of wonderful all-local feasts! But to find out what happens with all these goodies, you'll have to tune into Thursday's Market-To-Table post, so stay tuned...

If Saturday morning was an indicator (and we sure hope it was), there are cooler days to come. Days where gardens can again thrive and vendors can bring to the market an even greater harvest. Summer only slows us down. It doesn't stop the love of local food here in the Brazos Valley. The taste of whole, fresh, local food keeps us coming back for more and the land provides.

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