This weekend I visited my local farmer’s market in Cherry Creek, CO, as part of my goal of visiting a farmer’s market every week. And I got there super super early this week – no later than 7:15 am (aka. “the UnHoly Hour.”) Some of the tents weren’t even set up yet, but the market was already buzzing with shoppers. Unfortunately, because I was still semi-asleep, I completely spaced on taking my camera with me to the market. Instead, I took the above shot as a summary of the booty I got at the market. Let’s summarize, shall we?
- 2 bunches of beets (1 golden and 1 red)
- 1 bunch of arugula
- 2 stalks of rhubarb
- 3 zucchini
- 3 summer squash
- 1 pound or so of green beans
- 1 pound or so of fresh english peas
- 1 bunch of peonies
Since I’m leaving for another wedding in 3 days, I have no idea why I bought all of this produce. I have plans of making a strawberry-rhubarb jam, so I’ll probably end up freezing the rhubarb, as I won’t be able to address that project until I get back. I’ve already made use of the beets and the peas, which will be in separate posts. The squash, I think I will freeze some and pickle the rest… I’ve never had pickled squash but I heard it’s divine, so we’ll see how that turns out. And the arugula I’ll probably make pesto from… because it’s so freaking good that way.
Can we just take a minute to fangirl out on the fact that I got fresh peas from the farmer’s market?!?!? ***insert fangirl shriek here*** I mean, the season for fresh peas lasts about 4 hours. Well, maybe I’m exagerrating (it’s actually about 3 weeks here in Colorado) but you get my point – the season is short, with a capital S. I wish I had bought more of the peas. As it was, I had enough for a side dish. And I was totally going all “Little House on the Prairie” while I shucked peas for dinner – well, except for the fact that I watched back episodes of Gossip Girl while I was shucking. Anyhoodle, the point is – next time I see them, I’m buying at least three or four times the amount that I purchased this go round.
Also, because the peonies I got were so amazing, I thought they deserved a photo all their own:
Aren’t they purdy?
Look at that booty! I’m impressed. Those peonies are beautifuuuul.
I bought some baby squash at the DC market and the last of the season’s strawberries. Used the strawberries to make the berry buttermilk cake but used half skim milk and half greek yogurt in place of the buttermilk. oooh man its good.
Ooooo Sam! Half skim and half greek yogurt! That sounds wonderful. I’m going to have to try that! I’ve already tried the recipe as is. Now I’m going to have to try the cake your way and add even more pounds to my un-svelte body. (Good word, huh?) But that’s what gyms are for.
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