Local diet update - September 21, 2009

Gone was the pouring rain and chilled air of the previous week's market. This weekend's farmers' market was sunny, warm, and absolutely gorgeous. The result? Customers were out in droves, many for their first visit to the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market (a special welcome to all you first timers). Vendors were prepared with another absolutely amazing harvest to share with a growing community of local food lovers (and how can you not love local food when it tastes so good?).

This week's Brazos Valley Farmers' Market included:

Veggies and Fruits: red potatoes, purple 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, patty pan squash, dried apples

Baked Goods: yeast breads, sweet breads, herb breads, cakes, cookies, cheesecake bars, pecan bars, pies, kolaches, dog treats

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

Other Foods: cornmeal, grits, wheat flour, eggs, honey, jalapeno oil, olive oil, locally-roasted coffee

Non-Food Items: stained glass light catchers, decorative plants, fruit trees, gourds, flowers (for planting), aprons, greeting cards, decorative spoons, jewelry, candles, pot holders, and other decorative items

My personal haul was pretty impressive too. Although I still have honey, brown rice, and home-canned jars of pasta sauce, corn, and soup in the pantry (all local), plus sweet potatoes, green onions, sage, and red and green bell peppers ready for harvest in the backyard... I still came home (whether bought, bartered, or gifted from some very generous market vendors) with eggs, pattypan squash, yellow squash, red potatoes, carrots, grape jelly, and whole wheat flour. Oh, and originally, there was one more carrot, but well, I got hungry about mid-morning...

Anyway, between what I have in stock and what I brought home from the market, we're going to have a very tasty week.

Stir-fries have been back on the menu lately, including the absolute BEST stir-fry I've ever made, so be sure to check out the Market to Table post this Thursday for some drool-worthy photos. The pattypan squash, always ends up one way - I use a vegetable peeler to make strands of squash that get stir-fried in a little olive oil. Once slightly softened, they are a perfect pasta substitute. And with home-canned all-local pasta sauce in the pantry, that pattypan is really speaking to me!

Perhaps the best part about living in Central Texas is that while other farmers' markets are gearing down, prepping to close for the winter months, we're gearing up for another season (with a second season of spring's goodies - like tomatoes and greens) planted and ready to harvest starting in a month or so, soon followed by cabbage, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas, etc all winter long! The market never closes here, the goodies just keep on coming. Bring it on, I say. Bring it on!

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