Potatoes, Pumpkins and Pies

One of the only reasons I get up early on Saturday mornings is for scones, coffee, and......fresh produce!

Welcome to the farmers' market!

The first time I went to this market, I was not expecting a whole lot. However, now that I go almost every week, I really understand why it's so appealing. My misconceptions with these stands had to do with the lonely fruit stands I had purchased from off of the highway. Overpriced fruit that would go bad faster than I could eat it. Eight dollars for 3 peaches? No thank you.

Community farmers' markets, I have found, are much different. They have more vegetables than anything else, and you get the whole basket for the price; unless you are buying things like eggplant, pumpkins, or squash. The vendors are also all competing with each other, so the prices are pretty reasonable.

Now, what about the prices? Well, they may not be as cheap as the grocery store all of the time, it really depends on what you get, and where in the season they are. Tomatoes are nearing the end of their season, so they were getting pretty cheap. Pumpkins and squash are in season at the moment, so the prices are a little higher, but 75 cents for zucchini? Still not bad! Most prices are pretty reasonable. Some of the more popular, or rare items tend to be on the high side. One man was selling lamb meat..... at over 16 dollars a pound! But I guess someone is buying it, or he wouldn't be there every week selling it at the same price.

Part of the fun is going around, looking at all the different types, colors, shapes and sizes of the different vegetables. In the fall, it's so pretty! So.... what's the big deal about getting your produce here? Well, my answer is...... I just like to look at the person who grew my food, and the fact that they grew it within close driving distance. Some people don't mind veggies that came from a few states away, or even a different country. But why not go local and support some neighbors? It's fresher, and many of them have signs posted on their stands about what they used to grow it, which is pretty nice as well.

Shopping for your weekly meal plan is not the only thing to do as you visit. People sell home-made jams, spreads, and not to mention......delicious, fresh made baked goods.

Say hello to my pumpkin, white chocolate chip scone. Two dollars, and worth every little bite. There are also tarts, pies, breads, rolls, cinnamon rolls, and much more. And, they don't always have the same flavor of scones twice. Last time I had lemon raspberry, and they always have a savory flavor as well. This morning it was feta herb. Little early for savory flavors in my opinion, but oh, the smell was great. Yuuuummmmmy.

There are even a few things for the kids to do while you are glancing over the goods, and not to mention some good ole acoustic music. It really makes the morning a relaxing way to start the day, and a great way to start the weekend!

~h~