I buy about most of my food at the farmers’ market in August. It’s the peak season for summer vegetables and fruit. I can even get peas and beans to snap! It’s now also National Farmers’ Market Week, so you’re likely to find special events at your market.
The photo above shows the full view of what I just picked up at the Midtown Farmers’ Market in Raleigh. The long, knobby legumes are black-eyed peas, which zip right open. Beth of Wild Onion Farms says she can shell a pound of black-eyed peas in about 10 minutes, even while watching TV. You’ll also spot potatoes, green beans, red and yellow onions, basil, tomatoes, bell peppers, fresh spinach pasta, okra, blueberries, and peaches.
The photo below shows my favorite summer lunch made from these goodies, plus fresh figs from my garden. Oh happy day! Find the recipe for Light Summer Pesto in my book Fifty Weeks of Green.
Eating local is easy, healthy, and delicious thanks to our farmers and farmers markets.
