Early Autumn Produce

The colors and textures of early autumn produce give me creative inspiration, plus the desire to prepare a tasty meal.

Still Life of Autumn Produce

 
It is helpful to know what is available at my local green market so I can plan my menu accordingly.  Here is a link to see what types of produce are available in your region - local produce guide

A Salad Created with Locally Picked Produce

When choosing salad ingredients at the farmers market, I love a colorful mixture of vegetables.  I picked up some pea shoots, baby escarole, beets, a purple onion, garlic, and a yellow squash to create a beautiful salad.  The dressing was a simple mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, roasted garlic and sea salt. You can combine any mixture of vegetables and have the perfect salad. The only special ingredient here
is your fidelity to fresh and local produce.

 Salad Made with Farmer's Market Produce

Washington Heights Farmer's Market

Shopping at The NYC Farmers Market: Great Health Care

I look forward to shopping at my local farmers market uptown on 175th Street off Broadway.  It is such a treat to eat fruits and vegetables picked that day ....... The smells and colors of fresh produce can make a day at the farmers market a relaxing and inspiring experience.  I am looking forward to conjuring a salad or pasta for my dinner tonight.

Farmers Market, NYC

Peach Nectar Margarita with Infused Thai Basil

 Peach Nectar Margarita

Peach Nectar Margarita with Infused Thai Basil

Juice of 3 limes
3 shots of tequila
Nectar of 1 over ripe, juicy peach
1 tablespoon of local honey 
Thai Basil
Ice to fill a glass

Makes 3-4 drinks

I love infusing the tequila with some fresh herbs - gives it that garden taste!  My choice of tequila is Don Nachos (100 percent agave).  It tastes like premium tequila at half the price.   I think I might freeze some of this peach nectar.  It will remind me of some great summer days.  Cheers!!

Ode to a Peach

Peaches at Eastern Market

It’s about the last week for peaches at the NY farmer’s market, but in DC you get an extra week or two.   I’m not ready for Halloween pumpkins yet, so let me savor one last taste of a 2010 peach in Washington, DC.   This weekend, I am visiting some great friends and picking up some amazing produce at the Eastern Market, located in Capitol Hill  near the aptly named Eastern Market metro stop.   The market includes both an open air farmers market and an indoor market where you can buy fresh fish, cheese, flowers, and produce or just sit down for a nice lunch.

Shopping at Eastern Market

White Peaches

Eastern Market on Capitol Hill, 7th Street SE

Caribbean Fruit and Vegetable Varieties

Uptown, I love going to the little neighborhood market and exploring different types of produce. I am leaning about the different fruits and vegetables that are commonplace in the Caribbean Islands.  Also, I am learning a little Spanish too.

Plantinos, Lemons, Limoncillo