Bill got a rare day off from the farm on Sunday. His next day off: September. Really, don't feel TOO sorry for him; he can't help not going out, plus there is always something to do. Actually, on Friday, Bill, Carson and our nephew, Hunter, planted the squash and other fall crops while the rest of the crew harvested for the Saturday market.
A few years, I planted a seed of an idea with Elaine, the Bloomington Downtown Farmer's Market about starting an initiative for eating local meals in the month of August. She took that idea and has been working hard to make our customers aware of the benefits of eating locally.
While it is great to dedicate August to being "Eat Locally" month (and lots of fun!), why not start now and dedicate one meal a week or maybe one dish made with all local ingredients starting now?
This is my challenge to you: make one meal or one dish a week for the rest of the summer from ingredients from the farmer's market (yes, salads count!). Items used in the dish should be mostly local; spices, olive oil, etc. are given a bye. Also, it's up to you to define local. For some, it may be the central Illinois area; for others it could be the Mid-West. Take a picture of your dish or meal and send it to me with some backstory. I'll post some the interesting and creative ones. I'll share first: we had friends over on Saturday evening--the very best way to share a local meal! We BBQ'ed chicken from TJ's Free Range Chickens and also had duck courtesy of the Mississippi flyway. Fresh radishes were in abundance (we had some left from the market) and Bill fried up some zucchini (OK-the ranch dressing wasn't local) and our friends Bill & Mercy brought garlic scapes sauteed with rice. We had a salad also, but forgot to get it out of the fridge! OOPS! It was a fun evening with good friends and we treasure these times. I can't wait to hear about your dinner!
If you have no real idea about how to fix some of the produce you encounter at the market--ask the vendor! Or simply ask another customer who is buying the same item how they prepare it. I've gotten some great ideas from my customers sharing I try to have recipes available at the market that are tied into what is on offer that day. Also, the internet is your best resource. Do a search for "garlic scapes" or "how to cook turnips". One of my best go-to sites is Simply Recipes. I get a lot of recipes and inspiration from here.
So, what will end up on your table this week?
- Red radishes--try them grilled or make radish slaw
- Green onions
- Turnips
- Leeks
- Zucchini
- Summer squash
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Arugula
- Maybe--sugar snap peas
No comments:
Post a Comment