Winter Farmers Market = Happy Belly
A trip to the State Farmers Market always puts me in the mood to cook. Especially during the summer, when you can’t walk two feet without coming face-to-face with a mountain of ripe tomatoes, corn-on-the cob or peaches. Or in late spring, when every other booth is handing out strawberry samples. And don’t even get me started on the fall apple harvest. So many choices! I’ve been making fresh applesauce for months, using a bunch of different varieties.
But winter? What’s available right now? PLENTY. And the sight of all that farm-fresh produce – hearty kale, exotic sweet potatoes, crisp green onions, acorn squash – inspires me to whip up a stick-to-your-ribs, soul-warming meal.
If you want to find out what’s in season in your part of the state, check out this handy chart from the state Department of Agriculture. Also, this site will point you to farms, farmers markets and nurseries in your county. And visit this one to learn about restaurants, shops and co-ops that offer local foods in your area.
Right now, the indoor vendors at the State Farmers Market offers pasture-raised meats, free-range eggs, nuts, honey and every other imaginable canned food, jelly or relish. Also interesting: muscadine slushies and goats’ milk custard.
You can even pick up a stack of firewood (armload of kindling is free). I also spotted greenhouse tomatoes and tunnel-grown strawberries.
And just for good measure, a photo of my little shopping companion. Couldn’t resist.
Happy eating!
- Suzanne, pretty*swell
Oh man, I never consider going to the Farmer’s Market in the wintertime, but this post (and the lovely pictures!) have changed my mind!