Farmer's Markets are all the rage. I mean, c'mon, you have to be living under a rock the past five years to not understand how trendy, hipster, "green", and fabulous it is to shop locally, esp. at the local farmer's market. Under normal circumstances, I would say that I whole hearted agree with this concept.
HOWEVER...and it's a big however....I have found that the more I grow my own produce and the more I learn about fruits, vegetables, and such, the more I realize that the farmer's market just isn't for me. I go into these markets with such happiness and energy that I support this movement, but this summer the few times I have visited my farmer's market, I feel so disappointed when I leave.
Case in point: This is what I picked yesterday from my garden.
ALL ORGANIC - pint of blueberries, handful of pickling cucumbers, three zucchini
A entire basket of green beans, a few walla wall onions
Another basket of basil and a few more pickling cucumbers.
Imagine what this would have cost me at the farmer's market. Also, I know exactly what I grew and I knew how to cook it, etc.
The other day I went to the farmer's market looking for beets. I have never really eaten them, but I hear such great things about them, I thought I would try some before I made the commitment to buy seeds and grow them. I went to three different stands and I asked all of the people behind the register how to cook the beets and what is their favorite. All three were cranky and unhelpful and one didn't even know how to locate a beet on the table. I was so disappointed. I did buy some beets, and I did like them roasted, but I won't be going to farmer's market to purchase them again.
I also read this story recently from a fellow gardener blogger about her experience with farmer's markets and inability to discern what a tomato is. Blah!
I feel even more discouraged as I write this. Oh well.
If you are wondering what I made with some of those fabulous green beans - I blanched them, then caramelized some of my Walla walla onions, and stir fried the green beans, onions, basil flower heads (leftover from the basil I picked for pesto), and toasted walnuts. It was so fresh and flavorful.
HOWEVER...and it's a big however....I have found that the more I grow my own produce and the more I learn about fruits, vegetables, and such, the more I realize that the farmer's market just isn't for me. I go into these markets with such happiness and energy that I support this movement, but this summer the few times I have visited my farmer's market, I feel so disappointed when I leave.
Case in point: This is what I picked yesterday from my garden.
ALL ORGANIC - pint of blueberries, handful of pickling cucumbers, three zucchini
A entire basket of green beans, a few walla wall onions
Another basket of basil and a few more pickling cucumbers.
Imagine what this would have cost me at the farmer's market. Also, I know exactly what I grew and I knew how to cook it, etc.
The other day I went to the farmer's market looking for beets. I have never really eaten them, but I hear such great things about them, I thought I would try some before I made the commitment to buy seeds and grow them. I went to three different stands and I asked all of the people behind the register how to cook the beets and what is their favorite. All three were cranky and unhelpful and one didn't even know how to locate a beet on the table. I was so disappointed. I did buy some beets, and I did like them roasted, but I won't be going to farmer's market to purchase them again.
I also read this story recently from a fellow gardener blogger about her experience with farmer's markets and inability to discern what a tomato is. Blah!
I feel even more discouraged as I write this. Oh well.
If you are wondering what I made with some of those fabulous green beans - I blanched them, then caramelized some of my Walla walla onions, and stir fried the green beans, onions, basil flower heads (leftover from the basil I picked for pesto), and toasted walnuts. It was so fresh and flavorful.
5 comments:
It looks like you are having a good harvest year. I just picked and prepared our first batch of green beans too, yum. We went to a great farmer's market in New Mexico... got delicious marinated goat's cheese and goat sausage and some delicious chocolates with peppers. I haven't been to too many around here because of my garden, but sometimes it's fun to see the unusual items. I wonder if sometimes the farmer is too far removed from the stand. It is like wine tasting... always better when the winemaker him/herself is pouring.
Happy gardening!
I concur. Those beans look so delicious. My beans are also producing like crazy this year, thanks to your good advice to plant bush beans instead of pole. Thanks for that.
So I grew beets one year and decided I would never do it again. Here's why: I actually LOVE beets. they are by far one of my favorite veggies, but growing, cooking and peeling them is so messy and time-consuming that I feel like it's not worth it. Instead I discovered the Fred Meyer can of pickled baby beets--they often put them on sale for 50 cents a can, and they are the BEST beets I have ever tasted. Honestly. I have tried all canned beets, and these are hands down the best. The work and mess that it would take me to grow, and pickle those baby beets that come in that can for 50 cents just isn't worth it to me and I don't want to give up precious garden space for it, so that is my beet tidbit for the day. That can of fred meyer beets is one of my favorite treats of all time.
yummy! Can you come and rescue me from my totmato tree? Truly, it is now over 5 feet tall. I'm sending a picture...you won't believe it. And by the way I'm loosing my battle with the squash bugs. two pumpkin plants down one surviving. three times a week we go to battle against the bug, soap, water, stepping on them, scraping off the eggs...but with now going back to work full time and all 6 kids....I'm loosing. Sigh. One pumpkin...hopefully we can keep it alive.
You are AMAZING!!! You go girl!! :)
Those green beans look awesome! And I adore caramelized onions! Definitely going to steal your idea!
Gina
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