Farmers Market Update: Autumn
Alright Mother Nature, you win. It’s autumn now and I’ll accept it, even if San Francisco only had about five days over 80 degrees this year. I don’t need summer when I have produce like this.
Bring on your autumn grapes. Grapes have never been my favorite fruit, but they are so sweet and crispy this year I can’t resist them. I like wine too, and harvest is soon. Grapes are ok with me.
I’ll take your apples too. These heirloom varietals don’t taste anything like the overly sweet fujis I grew up with. These apples remind me of what I’ve always wished apples tasted like whenever I have apple cider.
And these little wickson apples, the size of golf balls, are as complex as a glass of wine.
Of course I don’t mind the sweet white pomegranates, with their pink seeds and delicate flavor. They aren’t as sour as the red ones are this early in the season, and the seeds aren’t nearly as tough and woody.
I finally gave in and got some brussels sprouts too. Sure I used to hate them, but once I learned the secret to cooking these little guys they became a welcome guest on my dinner plate. I’m especially fond of the smaller sprouts like the ones I found today, because they are almost never bitter.
With Halloween approaching not even the winter squash offend me, but these days I eat them instead of carve them.
Yes I’ll miss summer—or at least the idea of it. I’ll miss the peaches and plums.
I’ll revel in the last of the figs and melons.
Maybe if I’m lucky you’ll give me a few more weeks of eggplant.
Perhaps the sweet peppers will last until my birthday next month.
Or maybe the spicy ones will?
What always breaks my heart most is the tomatoes. I can live a few months without strawberries, but the tomatoes really get me. Everything is better with a dry-farmed early girl tomato on it. It will be hard to see them go.
But I love my cauliflower. (Pretty much everyone loves my cauliflower). And it will keep me company as fall rolls in and winter approaches.
I’ll embrace your root vegetables as they sweeten in the cold.
I’ll give you some time on the persimmons though, I don’t think they’re quite ready yet.
Today’s purchases (~$40):
- Heirloom kabocha squash
- Savoy cabbage
- Carrots
- Leeks
- Red Russian kale
- Brussels sprouts
- Wickson apples
- Daikon
- Ginger root
- Garlic
- Dahlias
Is your farmers market still running?