Yes, I know I'm supposed to be doing all those other things on the 'to do' list but I had to post this while taking a coffee break!
I was at our small local Farmers' Market last Saturday morning just as the stalls were setting up. My farmer friend Dean has become my source for the best fresh eggs, the bright golden yolks giving my baked items the glow of sunshine, my soft boiled breakfast egg in my English egg cup the taste of the farmyard, or a luncheon omelet so beautiful we "ooh" and "aah" as we dig in! Dean also had amazing squash - the yellow bicolored Zephyr and small tender zucchini - and bunches of just-picked healthy Swiss Chard - colorful edible yellow and pinky-red stems, the darkest green tender leaves.
See the colorful apron here with my Saturday market buys - it's printed with garden tools and veggies? This was a gift from Vanessa at Vanilla Lavender. After giving her some fabrics to use for her creative sewing projects, she made me this fun apron complete with her adorable signature yo-yo's. Thanks so much Vanessa, I love it and it's perfect for when I'm veggie cooking!
My favorite and easiest recipe using Swiss chard is from The French Market - More Recipes from a French Kitchen, by Joanne Harris (author of Chocolat etc.) and Fran Warde. The photos in the book are gorgeous and the recipes draw inspiration from the rural French markets emphasizing rustic fresh flavors and quick preparation.
Above - Bettes du Vigneron (Vineyard -Style Swiss Chard) from The French Market cookbook.
I served this dish alongside Penne Gorgonzola Sunday evening - a delicious mix of French and Italian goodness!
Dean's eggs - worth getting up early for!Do you support your local farmers and outdoor markets? Are you prepared to pay a little more for fresh, organic, and locally produced veggies, fruits, eggs etc. from people you see and know? Do you have concerns for your family's safety and health when purchasing so-called 'fresh produce' from a supermarket after many scares about contaminated fruits and vegetables?
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Mary,
ReplyDeleteWe don't have much of a local Farmers Market and it doesn't start until July(???), but once a week I go to a farm that has been growing and selling for over 200 years. Last week I got chard and baby pattypans along with the last of the asparagus and some lovely small beets. All were delicious. I think it is important to spend my money where I know the growers and to also help them and the local economy.
Janet
Janet
You are so lucky to have a nice farmer's market nearby. I have yet to find one without having to drive forever. The tomato scare has certainly made me think.
ReplyDeleteI have the matching hen to your rooser, Mary! She sits in my kitchen windowsill.
Ooooh, I did not know that Joanne Harris had a cook book! Must look for that. The swiss chard....my mom used to cook it when we were kids...that particular recipe looks quite delicious with the pine nuts and raisins. You are making me hungry!
ReplyDeleteHi again, this has nothing to do with anything, but I was just looking at your Most Favorite Books and wanted to say several of those are also my favorites and...you are the only person I know of who knows The Ginger Tree...(I hope I haven't already told you this and am repeating myself)...many years ago I saw the film production on TV and that sent looking for the book. A fascinating story.
ReplyDeleteWe have several Saturday markets that have sprung up around town, in church parking lots, and town squares, where the local farmers bring their wares. It's so nice to bite into a strawberry that is red all the way through! What a difference! And, the home grown flowers are just the best as well.
ReplyDeleteSo, just where is this little market you shop? You've definitely drawn my interest.
ReplyDeleteWe love to support our local farmer's markets. This year, with the floods, I'm not sure there will be much. We were just talking about the great peaches from across the river. The woman who sets her stand up here in town hasn't been here and probably can't get across the river. We can't get to the ferry landing for the ride to Illinois and it isn't running anyway. Sure wish our farmer's markets were open, though!
ReplyDeleteYour photographs are making me very hungry, Mary. I had a salad for lunch. I love to eat my greens!
Have a wonderful week.
Pat
We have farmers' markets all summer, but my favorite is the Urban Market downtown on Thursdays because it also has crafts, music, drumming, tai-chi, food, etc!
ReplyDeleteMary! Again, thanks a whole lote for those beautiful fabrics!!! The veggies look great!! I'm trying to be away from the computer this week and trying to get some sewing working done! I'm now adding a little bit of crochet to my creations... it's looking fun. I hope you're doing fine and looking forward to seeing you soon!! I might be at SuzAnna's this Saturday for the Flea Market. Hugs and Kisses!! Vanessa
ReplyDeleteOooh, everything looked so fresh and tasty! Loved that apron your friend made. Very colorful and creative.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes...we also support local farmer's markets. Not only do the things taste better, but I like supporting the local businesses.
After the recent tomatoe scare, purchasing produce in the supermarket becomes less enticing.
(BY the way....I sent you an email reply back and it got returned to me. So I did this little thingy to be "screened" so you'd get the email. Did you get it?)
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net
We do have a couple farmers markets, one downtown and one in a close by town. I have never gone to either one. I go to the flee market we have nearby and it is huge. In addition to new and old items, we can get yummy fresh fruit and veggies at a very good price. Some are Amish booths. I go to them first.
ReplyDeleteYour salad looks great.
Just to let you know, Mandie did a blog entry today with my beautiful Zoe on it.
Nancy
Yes, I agree, local farmer's markets need our support. I can't imagine them not being there for us to enjoy all the fresh veggies!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am leary of supermarket vegetables and am always happy when summertime arrives. There is one farmer's market that is located right in the fields where you can see the produce growing and it is wonderful!
You have a beautiful garden and I thoroughly enjoyed taking a "walking" tour of it! ...and I'm so jealous of your upcoming trip to France - - I visited Paris and the Loire Valley in 1985 and it was the trip of a lifetime!
~Jean
Markets abound in Brittany, and we do buy from them,but my husband produces all our vegetables in the Summer. We are digging potatoes, harvesting broad beans, spinach, and lots of soft fruit at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI love our Thursday night Farmer's Market! It is such fun to cook and eat with the seasons, and summer is certainly beautiful & bountiful. Last week, cherries were the hit of the market. One farmer had the largest, most luscious Rainier cherries I have ever seen & tasted!
ReplyDeleteSwiss chard is a favorite of mine! Simply sauteed in a little lemon olive oil, and finished with a sprinkling of fluer de sel & a grind of fresh pepper...yum!
Mary, thanks for taking the time to write!
Chris
Oh there is absolutely nothing better to start off the day than a boiled egg in an egg cup! We get our eggs fresh from a man in a village near our cottage. There really is a huge difference as buying them fresh means tasting them as they should be and not weeks after they have sat in a warehouse for a supermarket. I have yet to see Swiss chard for sale here but that looks so good. Jos and I love our veggies. We are having witlof or Belgian endive tonight for dinner. It is something we eat very regularly.
ReplyDeleteYou asked about my back and yes I am fine. I requested doing the therapy as I have to try and keep my back in good enough condition to keep from having to be operated on.
How is that 'to do' list coming along?
Hugs ~
Heidi
Mary, it never ceases to amaze me how you post something just when I'm thinking about it! I just planted some Swiss chard recently and have been wondering what all to do with it. It's indeed growing, so we'll so. I'll be sure and post pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'm a lover of eggs for breakfast. And supper too sometimes.
Lynn
PS -- Oops. I meant "so we'll see." Sigh. I've been like this all day. :)
ReplyDeleteI love to shop local farmers markets--ours are just now getting the produce out. We've had a lot of plants up until recently. My buddy said she bought peas last weekend at our market! I confess, my favorite part of the markets are the folks who bring the fresh baked goodies--I'm a sucker for breads, cookies, pies, etc!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to have several markets within driving distance and I'm at one or two every weekend. I don't buy very much produce at the grocery stores during the summer months. I'd rather pay that extra dollar knowing I'm supporting my farmer friends. And eating fresh local produce.
ReplyDeleteI love Farmer's Markets. My 14 year old son has worked them for two summers but isn't doing it this year after his appendix burst and not wanting to exert himself as much. We used to always get some fresh leftover crops from him after his shifts. The corn was so sweet especially, as were the Peaches. Yum. Yours looks great.
ReplyDelete