Tuesday, 16 August 2011
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Farmers Markets
Part of being able to have great left overs is to be able to stock your refrigerator and pantry well. So that you can be as creative as you want without having to go grocery shopping for every meal. One of the best places to do this is the Farmers Market. I'm a huge fan of the Union Square Green Market here in New York.
Your options are almost limitless. Not to mention you are supporting local agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and buying direct from the source. Some people may think that buying from farmers markets is expensive, but I don't think so. Sure there are some items that are more expensive than we're used to, like tomatoes. You can find them at the farmers market for about $4.75 a pound while at the super market you can get them for $1.99 But when you taste them, it'll all make sense.
To some it may be shocking to know that a tomato can have so much flavor, and to others it reminds them of what tomatoes tasted like when they were young.
Tomatoes cost so much because it is very time consuming for a farmer to grow them. Not only do the tomato vines need to be propped up, but they need to be given compost (natural fertilizer) regularly, weeded and (the most important part) picked when ripe. Todays supermarket tomato is mostly picked before it is even near starting to ripen, which is why they are flavorless. After the farmer picks them, the tomatoes need to be transported safely so they do not get bruised before being sold. Think to yourself that there is a similar reason as to why other things cost so much as well, and remember there aren't machines doing all the work like most large scale farming, it is done by people.
Just like shopping in a grocery store you have to survey your options, there are several farmers selling the same things. Many times a farmer will sell their stuff at a significantly cheaper price, or they will have a "2 for 1" sale. It is definitely worth looking around before buying the first thing you see.
There are also other things that counter the tomatoes hefty price, such as a bunch of carrots (usually 8-10) for two dollars, herbs for one dollar, the sweetest corn you've had in a long time 3 for a dollar, or a bunch of kale (usually more than you need) for two dollars. It is these moments that my love of left overs starts to kick in. As i'm shopping I look over at the kale and think "do I need all this?...well... I can braise 1/2 of it with some ham..have enough to make a kale soup with the left overs..and then with the other half I can make a salad".
So if you want to make the most out of your left overs, and have the most fun cooking, look into the farmers markets and think a head a couple of days while you shop and stick up your refrigerator. It will motivate and inspire you to cook.
How do you feel about Farmer's Markets?
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Comments (25)
So many fruits and veggies:D
@lforletty@xanga - that was nothing, there was a whole lot more, thanks for replying
never been to one, but i've always wanted to go
thankfully, the truck drive filled with butt loads fresh produces to the town where i live every once a week. it's a bit pricey i might have to admit comparing to local supermarket but worth trying it. freshness beats the price.
I love fresh farm products. I prefer to buy my potatoes and tomatoes from the farmers than the supermarkets.
I love farmers markets! You're absolutely right about the tomatoes, too... there's nothing like fresh heirloom tomatoes, their flavors can't be rivaled by anything you get at a store. Plus there's some REALLY yummy samples you can try by going to them.. odds are you'll end up buying the full sized product anyway. And always remember to bring cash, it's a lot easier to deal with than using a credit card!
My university has a farmers market weekly thoughout most of the growing year....some things are more expensive..but I agree...you know what's going into your food..it tastes better than the imported stuff, and most of all you're supporting local farmers!
I never liked store tomatoes, but tasting varieties not available in stores and not just made to handle transport made me realize they can be REALLY good. Some farmer's market fare tastes about the same as store stuff, but I'd still pick the farmer's market just to help the farmer directly.
I hope the government never takes them away!
One of my college professors did research when he was a grad student that involved tomatoes. Basically, they selected for bruise resistance. So you can thank him and his colleagues for flavorless, but bruise resistant, tomatoes. O_o
I love farmers markets. When they opened on up in my town (we usually had to travel about 15 minutes to another town if we wanted to go to a farmers market), I thought it was awesome. However, something's very wrong either at the store or from the farmers they get their food from. Grapes and strawberries were always moldy. At first, I thought it was just me and I wasn't eating them quick enough, but after several trips to the store, I've heard quite a few people complaining to the cashiers that these two fruits are always moldy on the shelves or the day after they bring them home.
Back to the other farmers market!
Every Friday in my town (in the warmer months), there's a farmers market set up in the public library parking lot, too. I didn't get a chance to check them out before I moved to NV, though.
I'm a huge fan of farmer markets. I make sure I go there bright and early to avoid the crowd and get the freshest fruits and vegetables.
@Beb3Lika@xanga - you should definitely give it a shot when you have the time.
@crazysogul@xanga - I know what you mean, its tempting to just go for the price, but when you have a peach from the supermarket, and it'll be green on the inside...then you have one from the farmers market, and it nearly squirts all over you because its so juicy and sweet..the decision will be made for you.
thanks for posting a comment
@The_Unknown_Blogger@xanga - rightfully so, thanks for the comment.
@MochaSprinkle@xanga - you're definitely right, but i think its a great idea that the farmers markets are making it accessible for everyone now by allowing credit card use and EBT use.
@animechrisy@xanga - thank you for the comment and for being a supporter of the market
@loner_writer@xanga - i love the fact that there is no middle man.
@rocketopossum@xanga - i hope for the same as well.
@lyrra_askavi@xanga - id rather not
but thank you very much for commenting and sharing that fact.
@Delphiki@xanga - interesting, i wonder why that is..thank you for commenting, it doesnt seem to be that big of a problem here...worth looking into for sure
@I_am_born_on_Earth@xanga - its the best time to go, that way you have access to all the goods the farmers may have little of. thanks for the comment
I just love how sometimes, you can negotiate with the price... or they give you discount! :) Also, everything lasts longer and is SOOO much fresher!
Everything is fresh and there's so much varieties! And you can get the backstory of the products and even gardening advices from the farmers!
Freshness is worth the price.