Tuesday, September 14, 2010

A Bountiful Harvest Always Found at the Farmers' Market



Spring, summer, and fall in New England hold so many treasured offerings but among the best are farmers' markets.

 All kinds of brightly colored fruits, veggies, and flowers can be found during each visit. The smells, tastes, and sights of every farmers' market appeal to every shopper.

Here, consumers are the lucky ones. They are offered every kind of  fresh produce imaginable. There are good things for the tummy and also for the soul, the latter in the form of flowers. I have always believed that flowers are "food for the soul." Just as we always need food for our bodies, we also need food for the soul.  That's why it's so important to always have living flowers around our homes.

As soon as the opening of the season's first farmers' narket is announced, my car makes a beeline to it.

The peaked white roofs of farm stands can be seen from a distance. They always draw me because there's such a fabulous array of offerings.


Now that the season for daffodils, geraniums, strawberries, asparagus, and rhubarb is over, it's time for crunchy apples and a variety of squash.



We've already had baked apples in our house. They are yummy with a few raisins, pecans, and a squirt of real maple syrup.

Among absolute favorites in our family are yellow wax beans. Once the ends are cut off and the beans are boiled they are drained and put into a frying pan with butter.  Sprinkle a little salt and pepper and eat.Yummy yum yum.




At one farmers' market we go to, I always head to a particular stand just to buy the tomatoes. They are picked  ripe off the vine and the taste is delicious.  It's harder for the farmer to do that because if they don't sell, the tomatoes won't last that long. A sumptuous  meal can be made out of tomatoes, finely chopped basil, slices of mozzarella cheese, oil, and vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is my favorite. The whole dish is a heavenly summer treat.


As for  peppers, the best way to eat them is roasted. The peppers are placed in the oven and until they turn black. If  broiled , keep a close eye on them because they'll char quickly.  Once blackened, cool the peppers. Then, slice, take out all the yucky seeds and blackened peel and you will have the sweetest, most delicious roasted peppers! Try them in a sandwich with turkey or chicken.



At this time of the season, gladiolas are the most popular floral offering. Their blooms are so majestic. Red glads are my favorites.



Going to farmers' markets is such a treat and when the local ones close, at the end of October, I'll start to think, hope, and pray for next spring. It's always exciting to see those white peaked farm stand tops, knowing that under them is food for the body and for the soul!

DO YOU GO TO FARMERS' MARKETS WHERE YOU LIVE?

14 comments:

BECKY said...

Hi Susan! Oh, that all looks so lovely! Yummy food and beautiful flowers! Yes, I love farmers markets, too. There's nothing like the fresh, homegrown food!!

Erin | Bygone Living said...

Oooh! I wish I could have gone!

Christi said...

i LOVE farmer's market!! LOVE LOVE LOVE! i've challenged myself to only cook with fm veggies and fruits this fall. so far it is really fun and challenging me. i hope our apples come in soon ... we are going apple picking and that will count as being from a farm!!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful market. I've always wanted to visit New England in the autumn.
Mary

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Did you catch a glimpse of that lone purple pepper? I could go to a farmer's market everyday. There is something magical about fresh veggies from the farm, makes me want to do a vegetable dance LOL!!

Bookie said...

I love farmer's markets too! Your pictures are great and don't those apples look grand! Getting a few here now; I had fried apples for supper. Good, but did not taste like my mom used to make.

Thanks for writing your autumn thoughts on my blog. Farm stands, I forgot that one and can picture them in your area. Ah, and spicy candles! Great image and I do it too, although not as often as I used to since my mom's house burned. Any fire has new meaning now.

Claus said...

There are so many markets around Guatemala and all of its towns and cities (NOT supermarkets, but markets, with natives and farmers with their stand of products) that you wouldn't believe. It's so nice to be surrouded by so many fresh vegetables and fruit, and flowers. It's colorful and very lively. I do enjoy going to the market! It makes you want to eat everything! :-)
have a lovely day!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Susan -

Great pics!

We have a lot of Farmers Markets around here. The last time we visited one, we picked up green bell peppers and a cantaloupe. With my veggie garden, I haven't needed too many items.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Susan, I wish we had a farmer's market here. Not much is grown locally. Pretty much everything is flown in from surrounding countries (like Lebanon) on a daily basis.

Love your collection of blue plates on the wall. I collect plates from different places and have them hanging in the dining area.

India was wonderful! It was sad to see the level of poverty. I felt guilty being one of the privileged while I saw those who had basically nothing. But it is a reality -- one that more folks need to see. Most get too comfortable and don't think about what others face. Definitely eye opening. I definitely count my blessings and know that I have nothing to complain about no matter what happens in the day.

Hope you have a great rest of the week. Happy painting! :) Tammy

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I wish we had one near us! I love the Farmer's Market!

diane stetson said...

I'd like to be a farmer myself. I always remember fresh veggies from my farmer father's garden. Oh boy, I can taste those tomatoes, and radishes now ...yummy. Loved your pictures of the farmer's market you visited!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

A farmer's market is a favorite place of mine, especially buying those summer vegetables. It's nice to know some are still open in the fall.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I love farmers markets! Because so much produce is grown here in south Jersey, there are lots of them as you drive down the road in more rural areas. There used to be roadside stands everywhere but now you have to go a bit further to get to them.

Your photos are beautiful and filled with such beautiful colors!

mo said...

Hi Susan, I absolutely LOVE the apples! I can even smell them. Your pictures are beautiful and You are fortunate to have a farmer's market so close. (I also like the pepper picture) *hugs*

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