Farmers market joy!

[oyceter]

My market seems to be getting more and more popular since its move last year across the street to a larger space; either that, or I am going later and later. I wasn't early today, but I wasn't late either. And yet, parking is getting to be such a massive pain that I growled and grumbled and finally stole a prime spot. I swore a little more when I discovered that I had rushed out and forgotten to bring along my cloth bag, which means that I am currently typing with fingers that are still a bit tingly from having the circulation returned to them.

I sadly looked at the first stall, which had corn and tomatoes and watermelon, but not the piles of cherries that were there two weeks ago. Alas, the cherries are gone now, and I am sad, even though I have probably eaten pounds and pounds of them already.

But all was forgotten as soon as I hit my pea stand! Alas, the usual pea guy wasn't there, but I still got my insane amounts of peas. Possibly lugging around a giant bag of six pounds or so of peas is largely why my fingers are a little purple. And then I looked around to glory of stone fruits everywhere! Piles and piles of peaches white and yellow, nectarines, pluots, plums and apricots! I boggled at the variety: Arctic Snow and Yellow Zee, White Ladies and Loring cling peaches, too many more for me to remember. I tried to sample every single one of them, which was a little difficult, given my steadily increasing groups of plastic bags filled with fruit.

I couldn't resist getting two pluots and two white nectarines and two yellow peaches from random stands, even though I knew I would regret it after hitting the best stand (which I had yet to discover, but I had faith that it was there, waiting for me). The nectarines in particular were so sweet that I couldn't pass them up, even though I generally don't eat that many nectarines because the flesh clings so much to the stone -- I like to cut them in half and twist out the stone so I don't get as much fiber in my teeth.

My patience was rewarded when I found the Best Stone Fruit Stand, who had types of peaches that I had yet to sample! Also! All the white peaches I had tried up to then had been crunchy but rather insipid. These were soft and sweet and sweet and sweet. I can't remember the variety anymore, sadly; I think it was "Joanna" something or the other. Also! They had these Yellow Zee peaches which are amazing. And! Even though their fruit is more expensive, their peaches are absolutely gorgeous, dark pink and orange and yellow skin, depending on the variety, a heady aroma, and all this and they were so large that a single one filled my entire hand. I am in love with this fruit stand.

I also cursed myself for getting a few heirlooms yesterday at Whole Foods after seeing them in the market. But they were on sale at Whole Foods for $3.99/lb. and the last time I saw them in the market, they were $5! And $5.99/lb. at Whole Foods! Today, the market had them for $3/lb. Amazingly, I managed to restrain myself from buying all of the heirlooms I could get my hands on at the first stand, as they had no samples, and the ones I got two weeks ago were sadly watery.

And then! Then! I walked down the last leg, and to my right, I saw MY HEIRLOOM TOMATO GUY!

The other stands have heirlooms, but they are not my heirloom tomato guy! Because! My heirloom tomato guy is only tomatoes! And has many varieties, separated out! And! BEST OF ALL!

HE HAS A SAMPLER TRAY OF ALL THE VARIETIES!

Black brandywines! Normal brandywines! Stripey green and red zebras! Teeny brandywines! I didn't see any of the pineapple tomatoes or the peach tomatoes, but I think those come later in the season. I sampled like mad and probably ate a few too many, but I couldn't help myself! I had been so jealous of coffeeandink last week because her market had heirlooms, and now they were at mine as well! And tasting like they should -- sweet and intense and absolutely amazing!

I think I babbled a little incoherently to him as he got me my change, but I managed to fit in, "I am so glad you are back!" while beaming like an idiot.

I also got strawberries and raspberries and corn and a mixed-berry fruit tart, and I think I really need to get a little cart so I can tote it around and look dorky. I do not mind carrying around pounds of fruit, but I went home to discover that some of my precious berries got squashed, and that is really unacceptable.

But really. The important thing is: I HAVE HEIRLOOM TOMATOES! And I have already eaten two small ones and a large one and they are delicious!

Comments

[minim_calibre]

I HAVE HEIRLOOMS, TOO!

Specifically, I have a pound and a half of scratch and dent ones (mostly green and red zebra ones that split) for tonight's salad. For I was smart, and went to the Farmer's Market with the awesome tomato chick! The one who has her "B grade" tomatoes for $1.99/lb!

Seattle's still at least a week or two away from good peaches, though. The peaches today were meh.

[veejane.livejournal.com]

My farmer's market is awash in wax beans and shell peas, to say nothing of garlic and shallots and root vegetables, but we're still in the very early stages for tomatoes. It's very annoying.

Because, yeah, in 3 weeks, we'll have them coming out our ears, and the dented ones will be really cheap, but right now - bupkis.

(We don't even have stone fruits. Count your blessings, gurlie!)

[vom-marlowe.livejournal.com]

Oooooooh. *is very jealous*

I have greens coming out of my ears, some root veggies, and a few soon to be cukes, but woe! No tomatoes yet. I cannot wait. Maybe they'll be there this week. I like to get the sampler quart. *Looks shifty* Why, yes, I do eat the whole thing myself in one sitting.

[heresluck]

I MISS MY MARKET. WOE.

On the other hand, this morning I had the experience of going out to my very own garden, plucking a perfectly ripe Stupice off the vine (they're slightly larger than a large cherry tomato), washing it briefly, and eating it while it was still warm from the sun. I recommend both the experience and the tomato; I'd never had a Stupice before, but this one was YUMMY.

[onthehill]

Wow! You know this already, but you're so lucky to have that market and all those choices. Where I live, you get maybe 3 choices of tomato, even in the market.

It's also great that these markets are becoming more popular. Do you think its that people just enjoy the choice that hasn't been available for a long time? Or are they seeing the giant monocultures as harmful? Or the chain stores as evil corporates? Who knows. As long as this growth in farmers markets continues, it's all good.

ps. I know you never heard from me before, but I read your LJ often! :)

[jinian.livejournal.com]

*dead of cute*

[chomiji]

Our local farmer's market has one stand that usually has a couple of dozen heirloom types, and they let you mix 'n' match them in the various sized baskets because they sell them all at the same price per pound. Brandywines are so-o-o good!

The Mr. came back from the market today with a half bushel of very nice peaches. Lord knows what we're going to do with all of them ... .

[oyceter]

$1.99! I am so jealous!

I think I will have some more for dinner.

[oyceter]

No stone fruits? Tragedy!

Though my peas are already getting a little older, so they're not as tender or as sweet. So you've got that going ;).

[oyceter]

Ooooo greeens. I have been very lax about buying vegetables that aren't peas, corn or tomatoes, just because I've fallen out of the cooking habit and I tend not to eat that much salad.

Also, as you may have noticed, the amounts of fruit I buy are already so insane that I probably don't need to get more at the market.

Mmmm sampler quart! I am trying to figure out how I can maximize tomato eating while still stretching it out so I will not run out.

[oyceter]

MMMmmmmmmmm! I was reading your garden plans and jealously sighing -- I have no backyard, and, more importantly, I tend to forget that plants need tending to, which doesn't work so well.

[oyceter]

Hi! I'm glad you commented! It is always nice hearing from people who read my LJ ^_^.

I have no idea why markets are getting so popular (or even if they are... I know CA's probably are, but I don't know that much about elsewhere)! But I am glad they are and really hoping it continues, because I adore mine! Well, there's another two closer to home, one of which I can walk to, but I'd miss this one.

[oyceter]

Tomatoes!! EEEEEE!

[oyceter]

Ohhhh, so nice!

I always end up buying too much fruit, even when I try to hold back. But.. summer! Fruit! How can I resist?

[ponygirl2000.livejournal.com]

I made this awesome pesto this weekend with peas and spinach. Served it on pasta with black olives and pecorino romano cheese and I was in a green-tinged heaven.

[chomiji]

His grandmother used to live in NY's main fruit-growing region, upstate along the shores of Lake Ontario, so he has a major soft spot for peaches. For lunch today we had bruschetta made with chopped fresh Romas, fresh basil, and (sadly) regular ol' store-bought mozzarella on toasted fresh Italian white bread (also from the market), followed big bowls of sliced, peeled fresh peaches!

> happy sigh <

[vom-marlowe.livejournal.com]

Last year the brandywine I had lived so long I refused to water it anymore in the hopes it would die. That was in September. It finally croaked in November. Why? Because we got half an inch of ice. It still had tomatoes on it. I mention this because I grew it in a container on my porch! Also, they have this nifty stuff called Soil Moist which is these little polymer crystals you add to the soil and it slowly releases water, etc, so you have lots of insurance against random neglect. Just, you know, in case you discover a variety that you feel you must a whole bush of and eat while sunwarmed.

[vom-marlowe.livejournal.com]

I'd be eating peas, but I can't get the suckers to grow and the local markets don't have them. Woe!!!!

Mmmm, sampler quart. I'd try to offer suggestions for extending the tomato eating, but, er, I suck and mine are usually gone by day two. My favorite way to eat them (besides just straight up) is sliced with cottage cheese and a little seasoned salt, in case you'd like to try it. Brings out the flavor in the best way.

[heresluck]

I should post the list of tomato varieties I am hoping to grow. I don't think I'll be able to grow them all in one year! Gah!

[heresluck]

Oh, and: it's possible to grow a tomato plant in a large pot, especially cherry or dwarf varieties that are tidy rather than sprawling, as long as you can arrange for it to get plenty of sun (balcony or patio is best, but even a window can work). There are several varieties recommended especially for this purpose, and some California nurseries are still shipping seedlings. I can send you links if you want...

[deevalish.livejournal.com]

I have no idea why markets are getting so popular

Lately there's been a real emphasis on not just organically grown produce and products but local, meaning within 150 miles of the location. I've noticed an uptick in Ferry Plaza and Civic Center markets. It's really nice to feel kind of connected to this bit of life.

[deevalish.livejournal.com]

I think I know of the Hierloom tomato guy you speak. Amazing variety.

You really should get one of those hook 'n' go bag carts as a regular cart would still give you squished fruit. It's pricey but really worth it. And it's just as dorky if not more so! http://www.amazon.com/Hook-Smart-Cart-Farmers-Market/dp/B000QSFLZA

[deevalish.livejournal.com]

I'm hungry!

[oyceter]

Mmmmmmm!!!

[oyceter]

Oooo, that looks cool. I wonder if I can make my mom buy me that as a bday present?

(dorkiest bday present ever! but still awesome!)

[kchew.livejournal.com]

The heirloom tomatoes aren't out yet here and no stone fruit either, but we do still have cherries. I nearly ate myself sick a few days ago!

I'm big into blue and purple vegetables right now. I love making mashed potatoes with blue potatoes, and found some purple beans that turned forest green in the water (sad, but expected). I'm trying to think of what to do with the sorrel that I bought at the market on Saturday; potato and sorrel soup, maybe?

[oyceter]

Mmmm cherries!

Also, I am a big fan of colorful veggies!