Farmers Markets Week

As summer grudgingly comes to an end, we celebrate all of the great things that Massachusetts Farmers Markets brought to us this year. I for one feel as though each week is made better x 100 by my many visits to the Copley Square market, and if you have been reading my blog for the past few months, you know that I can’t help myself but post weekly photos of the market and all of the local produce I enjoy.

It all started back in the spring, the market sparse with things like fiddleheads, the colors and life of the market a welcome relief from a cold winter and a gray, rainy spring.

And rhubarb, perfect for making an easy, warm rhubarb compote for yogurt and ice cream . . .

Colorful root vegetables like Easter egg radishes and beets popped up, making some incredible, crunchy salad additions. I discovered my love for raw radishes topped with tiny slivers of Kerrygold butter.

The greens and herbs were plentiful throughout the summer, my favorite being dinosaur kale and of course, basil for intensely flavored pesto.

Fresh, local varieties of squash started appearing, bright yellows and greens painting Copley Square with color and providing the perfect tools for kitchen adventures like zucchini pancakes and pattypan squash with a Greek twist. 

And then finally there were the heirloom tomatoes. I wait all summer for these beauties, inspiration for new recipes like heirloom tomato panzanella, cod with tomatoes, and the base for a fabulous multi-course tomato dinner.

The farmers of Massachusetts should be commended for all of the hard work they do. Each year I have lived in Boston, I see more and more people buying food from local farmers, and I hope that will continue. As we see with mass produced food situations, such as the current egg crisis, it is best to know exactly where your food comes from, even down to the person who picks it and brings it to market. We are pretty lucky here in Boston to have such great markets just about every day of the week!

One of the greatest parts of blogging is that it is a living, growing, diary. In the dark, depths of winter, I will be able to look back to see all of the beautiful local foods I ate this summer. . . and to to look forward to making them even more a part of my diet next summer!

But summer isn’t over yet, and the markets go on for a few more months so be sure to check them out for the gorgeousness of fall, pumpkins, apples, honey, cider, and more!

And maybe someday soon we will have our year round public market in Boston!

As I mentioned above, this post is part of the Celebrating the Flavors of Massachusetts blogathon, hosted by In Our Grandmothers’ Kitchens. If you love local food, why not donate to Mass Farmers Markets?!  

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I had a dream the other night I was on a tour bus with Mick Jagger and Mark Bittman. This may have to do with my obsession with being in the cast of Spain on the Road again. . . not sure exactly what it means, but I woke up really happy!

Have you had any weird dreams lately?