4.16.2009

To Market, To Market, To Market

I've got three weeks worth of farmer's market booty pictures to share, and what a tasty three weeks it's been.

local bounty, week 4

local bounty, week 5

local bounty, week 6

I've spent between $25 -$30 each week, and we've had plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and even popcorn throughout the week. Unfortunately, we're nearing the end of the growing season for kiwis and oranges, and it will be a while before stone fruits make their debut at the market. We can't wait for apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums, but until then we'll be enjoying early strawberries, the remainder of last year's apples, and Aidan's new favorite fruit.

kumquats

The kumquat. I might have to buy twice as many this Saturday as Aidan just can't get enough. We learned a trick about eating kumquats - roll them between your fingers until the juice starts to seep through the skin. Then pop them in your mouth and be prepared for a sweet and sour explosion.

I remember the first time I tasted kumquats. There was a tree in front of the library near my grandma's house. I remember my grandma picking a handful to share with me and my brother. I probably asked if she was sure we could eat them. They weren't my favorite fruit; I've probably only eaten a handful since. But how I love to see Aidan's face pucker up when he pops a kumquat in his mouth, and then hear him ask for twenty more. We'll definitely plant a kumquat tree in the yard; and perhaps someday I'll introduce my grandchildren to the not so common citrus surprise.

29 comments:

  1. Oooh love kumquats. It was our big splurg at the market too - $3.50 or something like that for a little bucket. We too are having dreams of planting a tree.

    Do you spit out the seeds? I do and I am not sure anyone else does?

    I too used to pillage kumquats from a neighborhood tree by my grandparents. Good times. Kumquat theivery - we should plant a tree to pay it backwards!

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  2. um - I mean thievery - spelled wrong - ooops!

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  3. What a beautiful array of delightfulness!

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  4. gorgeous produce pics! I am so looking forward to the growing season here, near DC. Thanks for sharing this bounty with us, Molly :)

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  5. I have always been sort of not sure how much I like kumquats. I will eat a few but not tons. My father in-law came out from Minnesota for a visit a couple years ago and he had never seen a kumquat before. We had him give them a try and he seemed to really like them.
    I used to live in San Diego and I really miss the farmers markets there.I live in Oregon now and we only have them here in the summer. Enjoy your fresh produce. Trish

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  6. Those pictures are beautiful!

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  7. Our little town just open a Farmer's Market last week. We got some MARVELOUS petite and tender asparagus along with a few other fruits. It's still in the beginning - and therefore smaller - stages, but I'll be there supporting them each week, hoping more vendors will bring us their delicious harvest!

    Your photos are fanning my hopes!!

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  8. we grew up with a kumquat tree in the yard. they are prolific producers!...I'll have to revisit them.
    love those walnuts. nothing like fresh, eh?

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  9. gorgeous pictures. I'm truly jealous of your beautiful fresh produce - especially the asparagus.

    Surprisingly (to me anyway) asparagus seems to be a luxury here in Luxembourg. I've seen a bit of it that is grown in France, but at 12,50 euros per kilo it is next to gold. The white variety is much more abundant and affordable here. But it just doesn't appeal to me.

    Are those greens with the yellow blossoms in the top picture, rape (think its called rapini in the states)? My friend who lives in S. Italy introduced me to that and it is WONDERFUL! Not widely available here either.

    As for the kumquats, I haven't tasted those since I was a kid. I remember them being very bitter and pithy. Perhaps I should try them again.

    Thanks for getting my glands salivating. So far, I've been disappointed in the Farmers' Market here in Lux. It does NOT have local produce . . .it sells the same stuff as the grocery store. Weird.

    Sorry for the long comment . . . all that fresh gorgeous produce really got me going - ha!

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  10. me again.

    rapini in the 2nd photo?

    love your new banner!!

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  11. I think I need to move to CA just for this reason! Your photos are so absolutely mouthwatering, and I can't believe how much abundance you've gotten for your money!

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  12. Do you know that I have NEVER had a KUMQUAT??? Where the heck have I been??? Seriously! I have never been one for the citrus, so I don't even know if I would like them, but they look good!

    You take great pics Molly - I wish our farmers market was as lovely as yours. :(

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  13. I've always wondering how to eat those things!

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  14. They look wonderful! We are awaiting all these yummy vegetables to begin here up North-US.

    Enjoy them...

    Lady M

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  15. YUM! all your produce looks amazingly scrumptious. We're still getting snow here...

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  16. Man, you can get some interesting things at your market. I'm so jealous.

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  17. Which Grandma? I don't seem to remember this.....hmmm......

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  18. beautiful pictures! have a great weekend!
    ~Karen

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  19. Lovely, I can't wait until they open here.

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  20. ALL this is local for you? Sweet potatoes/yams? Really? Man, that's so great! Our Saturday farmers market opens this weekend. Yea! (There's an intermittent one through the winter, but it's not as big.)

    And I too love me a kumquat... or 20. I'm not a big hot chili fan as far as food adventuring goes, but I sure do love a sour citrus pucker with the sweet back-end reward that kumquats do so well.

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  21. Your farmers market looks amazing!! I've never had a kumquat... It's on my list of things to try!

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  22. My grandparents had kumquats in their yard, and it was always a fun treat to eat as many as you could.

    And, Cagio - we spit out the seeds, too!

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  23. Now I want to try a kumquat! Maybe Luke would like them :)

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  24. Molly I have serious Farmer's market envy! I can't wait to go to the local farmer's markets and start cooking fresh veggie dishes. I've never tried a kumquat before well maybe once but I do not remember what they tasted like, but they look fantastic. I love your pictures too, they make me want to eat eat eat yummy wholesome food. Thanks as always for sharing.

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  25. yummy, yummy...oh why couldn't I live closer to where the citrus grows?!

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  26. all these market photos would make a pretty little diary of what you've been eating.
    these pictures are beautiful! what an amazing bounty.
    really looking forward to our markets here starting next month.
    love your bench monday and new header!

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  27. I love the market shots - you should keep a series like others do of other treats, like breakfast. Gorgeous

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  28. I love your pictures. I wished we had farmer markets this time of year. Ours don't usually start until the end of June.
    Enjoy!

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  29. we had never had kumquats before, so after reading this we had to try them. YUM!

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