Vegetables. There comes a point in everyone’s life where their view on vegetables changes forever. One day one gazes reproachfully at a Jerusalem artichoke, the next, it is seen as an adventure, a culinary experiment. It goes from a, “No way” to a, “Yes” all of a sudden. It creeps up on you and before you know it the vegetables are the star of the meal. The meats and potatoes are a garnish compared to the mighty, majestic broccoli dish that has been lovingly, carefully created.
For some this new discovery takes on a whole other part of their lives. Growing your own. For me, it has been probably the best thing I have taken up. For those who want to have a conversation with me when I’m not covered in soil and have insects frolicking about in my hair it may not be, to them at least, the best thing I’ve ever taken up. It is an obsession. I can’t urge you enough to give it a try – you’ll be surprised at the success (if you choose cleverly).
I got a little overexcited this year and was so enamoured with my courgettes and tomatoes I wanted to let them have all the space and nutrients. This meant I planted nothing else and they are still going strong. Looking at my little beauties my eyes glaze over. When I take them into the kitchen I puff out my chest with pride. However, because of my idiocy I now have a gaping hole in my life that cannot be filled until next year. Fortunately I have a fabulous farmers’ market very near that is indispensible for my vegetable ventures.
These pictures I hope can capture the beauty, fragility and unctuousness of the vegetables I am fortunate enough to have access to. The marrow I admit does not come across as fragile but when you break its hard, crisp skin it becomes obvious that the seeds and wispy flesh are delicate and need care. Where else but a farmers’ market can you get such a striking purple cauliflower? Think how long it would take to make a man made cauliflower as intricate and uniform as a Romanesco cauliflower. Things that someone has taken the care to grow like this need to be sent off to our digestive tracts with dignity and poise.
It is not just the food that is way above even the best supermarket standards, it is the people. They are the reason I go. Imagine asking someone in a supermarket the best way to cook the marrow you have just proudly chosen. Chances are a blank face will be the most helpful response. At the market you can barely stop them talking about their vegetables. They are so proud. And rightly so.
The meat, the fish, the bread, the cheeses, the cakes, the plants, the fruit, the beers and wines and the pastries, what a selection and what a great atmosphere. For the quality and service that you receive I think it’s fantastic value for money.
And so to try and express my gratitude for the businesses that loyally turn up every other Sunday to sell us their wares, I am creating meals using as many ingredients as possible from the market. I listened to the advice given by the experts and made the most of my veggies. Furthermore I have found that carrying a marrow around with you will deter even the keenest of pick pocketers. Excellent farmer armour.
All That I’m Eating
I love farmer’s markets. So much cheaper and I love how the food is local and fresh.
Wonderful post! Everyone should celebrate and be grateful for their farmer’s markets. Thank you for this :]
<3 Marea @TheFoodieFixx.blogspot.com
I have the good fortune of living close to Colorado’s largest farmers’ market (in Boulder). That’s especially handy when one of my backyard veggies is not yet ready to harvest or if the season was a disaster. Just this morning, I was relating to the director of a local culinary school how much impact farmers’ markets can have on people’s dietary patterns, especially in terms of potential for increasing vegetable consumption. On Saturday mornings during the market season, I shop at the farmers’ market first and at the grocery store second, just to fill in the gaps. I think how much I would miss if I didn’t go to the market first….heirloom vegetables, fire-roasted chiles, fresh Austrian bread, Colorado peaches and apples, mushrooms grown in Fort Collins, locally produced grass-fed beef…the list goes on…
Great post! This is an interesting insight. There definitely was a period in my life when I warmed to vegetables. Now, you are right, they’re most often the center of my meals. And it’s exciting to pick them and bring them home.
gotta love a farmers market 🙂 Too bad I don;t have any good ones near me in Amsterdam 🙁
Going to the farmers’ market is a weekly ritual for me. Your photos are beautiful.
I go to a farmer’s market weekly, and depending on what wondrous fruits and vegetables “speak to me” at any given time, determine what fresh and tasty dishes I’ll come up with that week. There’s nothing better than eating fresh, local, seasonal goodness.
We are fortunate enough to have a number of farmer’s market near us, each on a different day of the week! I love the seasonality of it, eating asparagus in huge quantity because you only have a it a few weeks, anticipating the return of the winter squash…and you get to know your community, which is an added bonus.
love vegetables and I wish fresh ones were available from farmers markets all year long, wouldn’t that be great – thanks for stopping by, Gulfport is just a hop-shik-jump from us and they have great seafood too….
I love our farmer’s markets! I come from a family of gardeners, but I’m not so great at it myself. Whenever we travel we try and find the local farmer’s markets- I love supporting the local economy and meeting the people who grew my food!
It’s lovely to know I’m not the only vegetable mad person around. Farmers’ markets are just such an adventure and it’s nice to know everyone else has access to one. Thank you for your comments.
What beautifull pictures! I am loving my farmer’s market more and more this year. Nice read.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve just found your blog. Loved the black and white profile picture. This post totally sums up all I believe and why I started to blog about local food, farms, food artisans and more. You really hit the nail on the head in every way; growing your own food, where the Farmer’s Market can lead you in your food commitment. Funny I noted scrolling down omments from another person from my same town with the same views! Smaller world than we realize! Can’t wait to read more from you!