Prior to this year, I thought it was virtually impossible to eat local produce year round.
Sure things like meats, chicken, honey, and maple syrup would be found at the local winter farmer’s market, but produce could also be found there? Even salad greens like spinach, lettuce, kale, and numerous other less common varieties? I was skeptical…
Sure enough the first time I went to a winter farmer’s market there they were… potatoes, squashes, apples, onions, carrots, even winter greens. At first glance I knew it was possible to eat a healthy, local diet year round, without depriving myself of my favorite food group – produce!
This past weekend my husband and I volunteered at the Seacoast Eat Local farmer’s market in Rollinsford and it was a great experience! We helped farmers unload their vehicles with all of their delicious food. And I made mental notes on what I was going to buy as I was helping!
Winter greens (spinach, kale, lettuce), garlic, apples, sea salt, and fresh bread!
Thanks to these tasty ingredients, plus some yummy feta cheese from my CSA and oil, salad dressing, sunflower seeds, and organic oranges all from Whole Foods, I made a tasty Winter Citrus Salad. (Click on name for recipe)
Winter Citrus Salad
And, thanks to more yummy produce and pork from my CSA, I also created this tasty slow-cooker recipe: Slow Cooker Pork and Cabbage (Click on name for recipe)
Pork, cabbage, apples, oh my yummyness!
I am so thankful to be eating fresh, local food year round!
What have you been cooking up with in season ingredients?
You are doing AMAZING with your blog and the recipes and the ingredients of the month etc.!!!! Thank you.
Thank you Rella!! My hopes are to improve the blog even more once school starts!
A farmer’s market is a wonderful way to volunteer. As I’m sure you saw, it is so much work for them to load and unload. I have my kids volunteer there every so often just so they know how much work it is to get their food to the table.
You are right Tammy – I has no idea how much work actually goes into having a farmer’s market! The farmers/vendors all put so much work into not only their products, but their displays as well. I will definitely be helping again soon!