What's In My Kitchen This Month?
Lots of produce from the local farmers market.
The farner's market has officially opened for the season, and I couldn't be more excited. There are about eight local farmers who participate—including three certified organic farms—it's the perfect place to stock up on fresh, seasonal produce.
There is simply no comparison between vegetables that were picked that morning and those that have traveled hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach the grocery store. Freshly grown and picked produce is bursting with flavor, and because it's so fresh, it also retains more of its nutrients and lasts much longer.
The market is held every Saturday morning, nestled in the countryside about 20 minutes from my house. I never know exactly what I'll find. Every week brings something new as different fruits and vegetables come into season.
This week's haul included crisp cucumbers, leafy greens, bok choy, celery, cabbage, fresh herbs such as cilantro and dill, zucchini, dandelion greens, onions, and red potatoes.
Of course, bringing home all that fresh produce means I'll have to spend some time prepping it and cooking it.
I like to wash everything as soon as I get home. Some weeks I'll prep individual salad jars for easy lunches. Other times I simply wash and dry everything before storing it in reusable produce bags or containers. Spending a little time upfront makes healthy eating much easier during the busy week.
One thing I discovered this weekend was that my deck makes the perfect produce prep station! Instead of covering my kitchen counters and floor with dirt, leaves, and water, I carried everything outside and worked on my outdoor patio table. It's easier to hose down the deck than have to wash the kitchen floor.
I washed, sorted, and trimmed my vegetables while enjoying the fresh air, and when I was finished, cleanup was incredibly easy. No muddy kitchen floor to mop afterward!
There's something satisfying about opening the refrigerator and seeing it filled with colorful, fresh produce that's washed, prepped, and ready to use. It inspires me to eat more vegetables, try new recipes, and make the most of everything that's in season.
I made a potato salad with pesto using the potatoes and herbs which I will be sharing the recipe soon.
New Serving Spoons
Do you shop at your local farmer's market? When you get home, do you wash and prep everything right away, or wait until you're ready to use it?
Joining Sherry at Sherry's Pickings for her monthly IN MYKITCHEN blogger's share. Anyone can join in .
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How lucky you are to have such a wonderful market close by. I feel that way about the produce I get given from my friends' and neighbours' allotments - you really can taste the difference when it's been freshly picked! I love those serving spoons and admire your organisation! I always wash fresh produce but I usually do it the day I'm going to use it. I will try and take a leaf (excuse the pun) out of your book!
ReplyDeleteLast week I went to the local farmers market which is run in conjunction with an upliftment programme for the homeless people in our area. I would go every week if I could, but it is during the week, and in working hours, which is not convenient :)
ReplyDeleteLike you, I also wash, sort and trim the vegetables while enjoying the fresh air, but let us be honest about two big issues:
ReplyDeletea] I can grow lots of vegetables, herbs and fruit behind the house, except tomato and avocado. They always fail.
b] Sitting at the patio table is great for half the year, but never ever in winter.
I do garden and also shop at our local farmer's market. We have some amazing produce. I also wash and prep everything when I bring it in because like you said it makes it so easy to reach for whatever you want. I definitely clean it outside when it comes to corn and a few other veggies. Cleanup is easy and just in case I get an extra worm or insect with my produce it doesn't make it to the kitchen. Love the serving spoons. Have a great July!!
ReplyDeleteOur city's market is a combination of true farmers and produce that is purchased from the wholesale market, so more often than not I will look around and come out empty handed.
ReplyDeleteNice haul! I am so happy you have a good variety of organic farmers to choose from. And you are very correct, fresh is so much better than 3 weeks old!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Melynda! What a nice haul! Suh-weet! I love farmers' markets, but haven't been able to go this year due to developing a bad leg, now need of surgery (and waiting for it). My husband has also been tending our little kitchen garden and I miss getting in there! As you said and I firmly believe too, there is just nothing like enjoying produce harvested that day and not traveling for miles! I left a comment about your comment on my blog too! Happy Independence Day weekend!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThe fresh veggies and fruits do look delicious! We have a lot of the farmers markets selling all their goodies. Your spoon are cute. Take care, have a great day!
I just learned that not all of the produce at are market come from local farmers, but some of it is shipped up as far as Florida. It was a sad revelation, so I have to be diligent in asking the sellers if it's local grown. I do love to visit little roadside stands though where people pick and sell the excess from their gardens.
ReplyDeleteours are from strictly the local farms- they come directly from the farm with freshly picked produce each week.
DeleteHow wonderful to have fresh and quality produce available nearby. I'll look forward to the potato salad recipe, it looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
It will be my next recipe
DeleteWe have pretty much given up on our local farmers market since it seems that everyone in the city has discovered it and you can barely move. We buy our fresh produce directly from the farms. I have never really thought about when we wash it, but thinking about it now, it’s mostly when we use it. We tend to buy relatively small quantities frequently, so there is not a whole lot stored in the fridge. Recently community gardens have become a thing here, often tended by Asian immigrants, and their surplus is for sale. We give them the business as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best time of year to shop at the farmers markets. All the produce is incredible!
ReplyDeleteAnother great month! You always find the neatest things!
ReplyDeletebest…mae at maefood.blogspot.com
i love those serving spoons. Yep preserving stuff is so satisfying. I had a zuke going soft in the crisper the other day so i sauteed it in butter and oil and herbs - so delish and no waste. I also freeze lots of stuff! Thanks for joining in, and have a great month.
ReplyDeletecheers
sherry
Your farmers market always looks like such a great place to shop. I like how you never know what will be in season each week, and everything looked so fresh. Using your deck as a produce prep station was a clever idea, and I can see how it makes cleanup much easier. That pesto potato salad has definitely made me curious to see the recipe.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy visiting the local Farmers Markets.
ReplyDeleteThe produce from your local farmers market looks great.
All the best Jan
We used to have a local farmer who I LOOOOVED his stuff however he stopped coming to market and went a different way with his new/inherited business. But man alive, was his garlic goooooooood. Then we grew garlic I wanna say twice. Oh my yum. Dirt to plate!
ReplyDeletewow all that produce looks amazing and you are absolutely right there is nothing like farm fresh produce, it's just another level of freshness and taste!
ReplyDelete