Saturday, February 7, 2015

First Saturday Farmers Market

I went to the first farmer's market of the season in November, but hadn't been back since, so decided to meet up with a friend there today.
 We like to get there early before the crowds hit.  
 It was a quiet, cloudy morning perfect for wandering up and down the lanes.
I stuck with my favorite vendors and bought tried and true homemade and homegrown products.  Caveboy Grubs makes awesome vegan and paleo food.  His nutcheese is so delicious.
Infusions is for my friend Patty from California -- she makes flavored honeys, spice rubs, pomegranate zaatar, pestos and tapenades, dried fruits and trail mix, just to name a few.
I bought her sun dried tomato pesto and stirred it into wheat pasta for Zack.
I also came home with a veg box from Mull Farm and proceeded to clean, chop and cook.  While I was buying it, there were two young ladies next to me who were discussing it.  One said "but what would you do with all of it?"  And the other said "throw it into tomato soup I guess."  I thought that was funny as in my head I already knew what I planned to do.
Eggplant, tomato and onion sauteed in olive oil and slowly simmered with tomato paste, a little water, salt & pepper and allspice.  We eat it with heated pita bread and then I set some aside and stir in chickpeas to eat over quinoa with a dash of siracha.  The broccoli is steamed and served with garlicky mashed potatoes.  Everything else -- bell peppers, green peppers, lettuces, cabbage, zucchini, and cucumber will be used in salads or sautes throughout the week.

I also had some leftover pumpkin that needed to be used so made a pasta sauce to go over half of the pasta I cooked.
It's been a very productive day food wise.  I love knowing that I will come home this week and already have things prepared for lunch.

Have a great day!

23 comments:

primrosesattic said...

That farmers market looks big. Our one is tiny.
Rosezeeta

Quinn said...

That all looks and sounds wonderful! And I agree about the satisfaction of cooking lots, then knowing it's there when you are hungry :)
I have begun cooking my winter squashes, and since some are quite large I planned to put the "extra" in soup but so far there has been no "extra" - it is all getting eaten right up! It's nourishing on every level, enjoying the fruits of my summer garden, here in the middle of winter.

Betsy said...

What fun! I can't imagine fresh produce in February. My favorite Farmers Market is one I went to with Mandy that was close to her house in Portland, OR. Oh my! The vegetables were wonderful. We still have a few months to go before we see anything resembling a market like yours. You have such greats ideas and cook up so many imaginative meals Tammy.
Blessings,
Betsy

Sam I Am...... said...

What a great farmer's market. Ours is lame really. I never thought of using my pumpkin puree (that I froze from my pumpkins) for pasta sauce! I'm going to look for a recipe...I'm not creative at all.
Enjoy your weekend!

Tanna said...

My mouth is watering, Tammy!! You are such a wonderful cook! And, so healthy!! YUM for your week's goodies! blessings ~ tanna

Tanya said...

Ohhhhhhhhhh - now I'm hungry! This all looks delightfully yummy, my friend. Back from another quick little trip, and raring to read! See you around the blog - Happy Saturday. Tanya

kathyinozarks said...

Happy Saturday Tammy, I miss a local farmers market-your veggies look delicious
Kathy

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for sharing some of your recipes, Tammy. I have been following a gluten- dairy-soy free diet for the last few years. I feel much better but tend to not be very creative in cooking, so I especially appreciate learning from those, like you, who are! Also, I am sorry that you had irritating encounters with those careless rude folk the other day. My first response is not to bless those who irritate me, but when I can, I am trying to do that because ultimately I want that irritating person to be a blessing to others. Reading of your struggle encourages me to keep plugging away in my own struggles. Thanks :-) xx

Linda said...

Looks like fun! :)

We too were shopping all today - our 2-week grocery shopping, but it was exhausting. It literally took all day to find things like Quinoa (a first for me buying this) in the stores - we had to go to three different grocery stores before we could find it and search the entire store for it. I also had to buy Chia seeds (for a Skinnytaste cookcook dessert item) and that too was a day-long search. We just don't have these kinds of things easily found here apparently and any time I ask anyone for help - they just kind of look at me like "huh? what's that?"

So, adventures in cooking for sure, but I've lost 17 lbs in a month and Jim is down already 11 lbs in 4 days after he began his work contest. Not a diet - but an entire lifestyle change in some ways (still enjoying things we like cooked differently).

It's a warm 45 degree day here - didn't even need a coat for the first time all winter. Still a lot of snow left to melt though...

Lyn said...

It is always better to buy fresh and make it yourself, there is so much more flavour to it. Looks delicious. xxx

Teresa Kasner said...

What a neat story of going to the market, buying wonderful vegetables and then cooking them for your family. I have a houseful of people with the flu -- even Dayle. I had a mild case but am faring better than everyone else. So, we're all resting mostly. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Debby said...

Oh yummmmm. Looks good. I love eggplant. An outdoor farmers market sounds lovely right now.

Laurie said...

I love to go to the farmers market. It's a Saturday morning ritual during the summer. I, also, love seeing what you do with your veggies.

Createology said...

Wow Farmer's Market in early February is really early...we don't have any her for months. Looks like you will be eating really well this week. Creative Food Bliss...

Melanie said...

Oh, how I love fresh veggies! That eggplant and tomato mixture served with pita sounds wonderful...and then to take the leftovers and put chickpeas in it and serve it over quinoa - even better! I am going to have to experiment and make that. Thanks for the idea!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,
Would LOVE to go with you and learn more about these yummy vegan dishes. Learned from you about nut cheese today! Will have to start looking at Whole Foods in Atlanta next time. There are so many ways for improving our daily life for eating healthier!
Thanks for always sharing with us here.
Hugs,
Mariette

homemade@myplace said...

…. such a wise cook, you are!!!!!
xxxxx Ale

Sherry said...

I love to go to the farmers markets around here when I get the chance. I will have to make a point of going when they start up again. Your meals look fabulous. I love it when we get the chance or I should say take the time to prepare food ahead. We have been using our slow cooker a lot lately so that meals are often ready when we return home from work. Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

All that food looks so fresh and delicious.

Amy at love made my home said...

Everything sounds and looks delicious!! xx

Lizzy D said...

What a fun day and a beautiful market! I can t wait til my market reopens, in May.

Serena Lewis said...

You had my mouth watering in this post. I love what you did with the veggie box. :)

Kit said...

Looks like a wonderful place to go. And look at all that yummy food! Makes me hungry. :) Kit

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