A few weeks back, The Herald News printed a fantabulous little guide to area farmers markets. I'm not tooting my own horn. I didn't make it. But I did stick it up on my desk.
Saturday, I had to get up early so my husband and his father could replace our jammed-up galvanized metal pipes with PVC. That meant I was up in time to go to Plainfield's farmer's market.
I had cash. I spent it all. Among the edibles I left with are: asiago peppercorn bread, pretzel rolls, two pounds of zucchini, a bag of salad greens and three kohlrabi.
I'm excited about the bread because it's not a kind you see everywhere. I'm even more excited about the veggies. They're from Anderson Tree Farm on Route 126 in Plainfield. The greens are great, I'm going to steam the zucchini tonight and the kohlrabi ... oh, the kohlrabi. I got three for a buck and plan to peek and steam the bottoms to serve with butter and salt. The tops will be fried up in olive oil and a little garlic, like one of my favorites: swiss chard.
Why the excitement? I'm getting veggies I don't usually get, at a good price, and I know they were grown nearby.
I'll have to report back on the kohlrabi since I've never had it before. And I'll tell you the green purchases I made that weren't edible.
What are you getting at the farmers market that tickles your toes? And how is it turning out in your kitchen? Or, do you get a CSA box of mysterious goodies that we can help you cook up? :)
Julie Todd is the night editor at The Herald News in Joliet. She and her
husband are looking to cut the chemicals and get back to basics -- minus the
granola and hemp clothing. They live in a home they bought last year in
Plainfield, where they're making changes to create their own little patch of
utopia.
We are trying for the first time this year, the green earth institute. We pick up every week and get alot of fresh produce, yesterday we got radishes, turnips, squash, broccoli, lettuce, garlic scapes, swiss chard. We are excited to be trying this...
I've driven past the Green Earth Institute but wasn't sure if they were a CSA or were selling at markets or what. That all sounds so good. Sounds like it might be a CSA if you're picking it up weekly. I really ought to do that, but I never get my act together.