Fresh Seasonal Produce - Nothing Like It

Remember those times you've picked something straight from the garden? I do - maybe my father-in-law's tomatoes - red, and juicy, kissed by the sun and warm as they pop in your mouth, or maybe our good friend Phil's oranges straight from his California trees, sliced with their vibrancy and turned into a jewel toned elixir to drink by the glassfuls, or pulled apart section by section and enjoyed as the juice trickles down your hand. Mmmmmm....

Maybe this is on my mind as I sit here bundled up on this 23 degree morning, or maybe because Wayne and I just watched the Iron Chef America Super Chef Battle where Chefs Lagasse and Batali took on Chefs Flay and Comerford (the White House Super Chef) and the secret ingredient was anything they could pick from the White House Garden. It proved gardens aren't just for the summer. They had basketfuls of bright broccoli, purple cauliflower (!), feathery fennel, the First Lady's favorite sweet potatoes, even honey from the Presidential bee hives. Delicious!

Farmer's markets are popping up more and more, though we're still searching for a good one near us. Sure we have all the big stores (which I love) within a five mile radius - Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Trader Joe's, but nothing like those Saturday morning markets nearby. The ones we have nearby are kind of lame, I hate to say, and don't do a lot for me. I think one of my fantasies is living somewhere where we can wake up on a Saturday or Sunday morning, leisurely walk to the Farmer's Market with our bags, ogle the fresh produce, hear the banter of the farmers while we munch on fresh breads and sip dark coffee, choose the perfect meal for dinner, and eat fresh strawberries for the rest of the day while we wait to cook it.

We did recently hear of a market, but it's not in walking distance, maybe a 30 minute drive. It's on our list of things to do, though - and when we do, I promise you a picture! In the meantime, if you can find some local produce, even wintery fruits and veggies, don't pass it up! Do something yummy and simple with it and enjoy!