I am off to Madison, but not long enough to shop at the legendary Dane County Farmers' Market.We are fortunate enough to have two smaller markets in our own community. Between the two of them, on opposite ends of town, there are opportunities for fresh produce on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. How much better can it get?
My CSA box included rhubarb, kale, herbs, radishes and lettuce today, along with some lovely flowers. Having a large suitcase to pack and a million things to do, I didn't linger as long as I would like to have lingered. But the 30 minutes or so I spent downtown were magical. It's cool here, and the air smelled of woodsmoke and water, as the market is near the shore. There was a fishing derby and a heritage fair, complete with re-enactors in period garb.
Our small community is truly blessed to have such riches!
Of course, I forgot my camera, so I will have to make do with the photo above, taken at the Cahors market on our last visit to France.
12 comments:
Mimi - I envy you having so many farmer's market choices during the week. We have farmer's markets here but they are available only on Saturdays - at least for now. My husband and I have a Saturday routine of getting up for a leisurely breakfast and then heading to our favorite farmer's market (we got lots of nice greens and purple spring onions yesterday, some tomatoes). Then we headed to our favorite butcher shop where they actually still cut meat to your preference and then off to the grocery store for staples. I was thinking we're shopping probably like Europeans do - having a shop for each specialty. I looked at the kale yesterday at the farmer's market. It looks so lovely but I've never had it - how do you prepare it?
Trish, I went to Epicurious to find a recipe, which I hope to feature here next week.
I love shopping the way you describe. I started doing that when I lived in Madison. I like your Saturday routine!
When I saw Madison in your post I had to read it. I am from Northern Illinois and have been to Madison many, many times antiquing. Lovely blog and very inspiring. xp Kpam
Hi, Anythinggoeshere:
Welcome! It's always fun to come back to Madison, and I swear it (A) either takes 10 years off my age or (B) makes me feel really old.
Mimi - I have the same envy as Trish - we only have them on Sundays here! I usually build my meals around what I find in the farmer's market - with this kind of abundance happening right now, how could I do otherwise?
I do pretty much the same thing. Wonder what will be in my farm box tomorrow, Toni?
Hi Mimi, It's been awhile since I've been around. It's fun to catch up with your posts. Hope your trip is a good one!
Christine, I just got back and it was a good one. It's fun to be a student again, if only for a week, and especially at my alma mater. Madison in the summer is wonderful.
I must pop over!
Mimi, I've lived in Madison for fourteen years, and I still have never gone to the Dane County Farmers' Market! But there are so many smaller farmers' markets around the city and surrounding communities that I can get everything I need very quickly. One day though, I will head downtown for the big market. :)
Sara, Madison is a great place for markets. I used to go to one at Hilldale once in a while, but I lived downtown for 6.5 years, so that was always the main one for me.
I just like the availability of healthier foods all over town.
I just discovered your blog. I saw it in Penny's blog roll on Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen.
French markets are the best. I've been many times to the Wednesday market in St.Remy-de-Provence and also Nice, Cannes and the beautiful flower market in Avignon. I've never been to the Cahors market, but I feel like I have seeing your lovely post. We always felt so healthy in France, probably because of the availability of fresh produce directly from the grower.
When we were in St. Remy we intended to drive over and eat at La Recreation, but somehow we never got around to it. I think we would like that area very much after reading Joie de Vivre by Robert Arbor. It's definitely on our "to do" list for next time.
Sam
Hi Sam! I read "Joie de Vivre" last fall when we were staying near Cahors. We thought about tracking La Recreation down, but took off in other directions instead.
St. Remy sounds wonderful; I've been searching for a base in Provence - perhaps that's it!
Post a Comment