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?