I will admit it, I am obsessed with fresh vegetables this time of year. It's the only time of year that so much is in season for us here in the midwest.
Yes, in the past couple of weeks vegetables have appeared in the blog time and time again. So today the mention of vegetables will again appear.
I finally understand. It's not just that our season is brief, it's that each batch, each grower, each plant can be different. It's those differences that can bring a pepper or tomato from good or great to really outstanding.
Visiting the same vendors at farmer's markets from week to week bring different results. The dish you prepare with those vegetables can be made over and over again, but sometimes it all comes together with perfection.
Texture, scent, ripeness. All balanced delicately can be, simply, enlightening.
I've come to really enjoy the process of preparation with my friends the vegetables. I can enjoy the colors & shapes and contemplate the endless choices I have before me. Sometimes it's hard to bring myself to cut up such perfection, but then I tell myself that now is the moment, now is when it's the time. Delaying would be a waste. There's that balance of life once again. Be in the moment. The moment of the vegetable is now. Deep, huh?
We visited the Madison Wisconsin farmer's market for the first time this season yesterday with friends Jan & Mike.
I do enjoy a trip to Madison. People look you in the eye, it's a college town, lots of stuff happening all the time.
And there's the eternal cycle of kids fresh to the experience of being on their own, parents with new babies, oldsters who love the whole vibe there.
We came home laden down with all manner of great produce- garlic, beets, cauliflower, potatoes, organic tomatoes, carrots, beans, baby zucchini, cilantro, and of course some great jellies.
Did I mention we all bought hats? Yup, we stopped in a store called "Sacred Feather" and we all found something that matched our personalities.
Had fun there and then headed home because we were all going to a blue grass festival in the evening.
Forgot to mention that it was about 65 @*#** degrees yesterday. And getting colder for the evening. It's not fun to play guitar outside when it's 45 degrees.
We went and visited with folks we know and played for a bit. Knew the jams would get going later, but we were beat.
Long day on Friday with work from 5 a.m. till 4 p.m. then played the farmer's market, then had a fun dinner with Bill & Mollie.
So with a full day Saturday too we're moving slow today. Have to do some cleaning, and Tim's going to enjoy tomorrow off. It's his birthday, and our anniversary Wednesday, so we're enjoying a prolonged celebration.
The sun's finally out- rain for 3 days this past week. How depressing! Tim's calling this month "Aug-tober". Not much hope for warm temps now, but as always, we'll take what we can get.
