Eats Shoots and Leaves

The kumquats and oranges are gone. The apples linger and the strawberries are in.

But $30 doesn't go nearly as far when you buy strawberries.

And strawberries don't last long in a family of four.

So they will be a rare treat.



Week 7 at the farmer's market was a slim bounty. My money went fast, and I was left wandering the booths with one single dollar clutched in my fist. A bunch of greens caught my eye - must have been the sign that read "$1 per bunch".



Pea shoots. I had no idea that they were edible, delicious in fact when sauteed with a little olive oil and dusted with sea salt.

The discovery of pea shoots led me down a new path - to try something new each week at the farmer's market. This week it will be broccoli leaves. We've already sampled the stalks of the leaves, which are best eaten raw, and the leaves we will chop and saute with a little garlic and olive oil.



Week 8 at the farmer's market was much more bountiful. We passed up the strawberries and loaded up with apples, asparagus, broccoli leaves, broccoli rabe, carrots, daikon, pistachios, popcorn, portabella mushrooms, potatoes, and sugar snap peas. Quite a haul for $30.

Bountiful and beautiful.



Portabella mushrooms from Mushroom Adventures in Marysville, CA. Check out their mushroom growing kits - looks like a fun project.