Monday, October 13, 2008

Farmer's Market - October 11

This was a lot heavier than it looks. I wasn't planning on buying much since we're going out of town later this week. This was the least crowded I've seen the market since early June. The regular market continues until the end of October, then the Saturday winter market begins. I've never been to the winter market but I plan to check it out. I understand there is meat, eggs, honey, breads - stuff like that.



What's new? Butternut squash - there's a great looking pasta and squash recipe I want to try from Lynne Rosetto Kasper's new book. This a great cookbook by the way, and would make a terrific gift. I'm a little wary of serving butternut as a main course. Afraid the natives will become restless and all that. I hope the sweetness of it will win my daughter over. There's some spinach and some ground pork there. I'm going to make a meatball soup with those, along with orzo and carrots based on a Nigel Slater meatball recipe and a soup recipe from Bon Appetit. By the time I'm done with it, it'll be a Tara original.

What else? I'm getting rather uncomfortable about the economic situation. I've heard of two co-workers whose husbands have lost their jobs....I'm pretty lucky to work in healthcare right now, but who knows what will happen. It makes me extra glad we've been eating less meat for many reasons, and now we have finances to think about. I make a great rice and black bean dinner from scratch, so I've got that to fall back on.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I continue to be jealous of your Farmer's Market. I'm going to look for Lynne Rosetta Kasper's cookbook.

Ti said...

That cookbook looks really good.. as well as your stash from the market.

As for the economy right now, I am starting to get a little nervous myself. I work for the state university system and our budget was just approved and although it looks to be about the same as last year and I have tenture, I am still nervous about spending right now. Sort of scary!

Bonnie said...

Love your farmers market pictures! I am definitely going to check out the farmers market next summer!
The cookbook looks great! Soups sounds perfect for fall.

I hear you on the economic situation. My husband's company had lay offs a few weeks ago and it's scary. He still has a job but who knows what the future holds. I work in healthcare also and there are more jobs than there are people to fill them. I feel fortunate that I can work limited hours for great pay.

nutmeg said...

We have a tradition in Australia of using pumpkin in scones - my kids love them!

And I have just had a big whinge over my way about all the plastic in my bin - even though I am actively avoiding as much as I can and recycling as much as I can. I notice some string bags in your collection above Tara - did you make them yourself or buy them somewhere as they are something I want to use when I go to the fruit and vege shop.

Anonymous said...

I love your farmer's market pics! They make me drool!! Your stash looks great this time too!

Tara said...

Bermudaonion, It's a fun cookbook to read -lots of good tidbits.

Ti, it really is scary these days! You just never know what is coming next.

Red lady-Bonnie, thank you! I love soup - I just wish my family was more 'excited' about it. I'm feeling the same as you about my job...

Nutmeg, pumpkin scones sound great! I bought those mesh bags from an online site (http://www.reusablebags.com/). They are great! I chose these as I could use them at the store and the cashier could see the sticker through the bag. I also reuse the plastic ones the stores supply. I am also addicted to my envirosax bags, and keep a couple in my purse to avoid taking bags from stores.

Kristina, thanks so much!

Andi said...

*lust lust lust*

Really, I don't understand why my area can't have an awesome farmer's market like yours. Makes me sad. :(

I hope your finances stay on the up and up! I'm feeling pretty luck to be an adjunct professor right now. We're cheaper to employ than the full-time ones!

Carrie K said...

We could all have nice government jobs soon, at the rate the US is buying up companies, they're going to own them all.

Yummy looking veggies! I'll be interested to see what your Farmer's Market offers in the winter.

Maw Books said...

I believe our last Farmer's Market is this Saturday. But I'll be going to the twice annual library book sale instead! Books win this time around!

Bybee said...

I don't think I've ever had butternut squash, but it sounds and looks great!

Ali said...

Great haul! (Your other post showed up in my bloglines, but you've taken it down--does that mean you don't want to hear that I think you should still go to WDW?)

Tara said...

Andi, We are so lucky to have this. Thanks - and I hope yours do too!! I am feeling okay for the moment.

Carrie K, so very true! I'll be interested to see the winter market myself. There is an event the day before Thanksgiving which sounds interesting - but sort of unncesessary for me since I'll be working..

Natasha, I hope you score some good finds at the book sale!

Bybee, I prefer butternut to most other winter squashes, it has a great texture and sweet flavor.

Ali, I do want to hear it - thanks for your comment. My husband says we really have to go (which made my question sort of moot and I was venting) and I'll regret it if we don't. He says we'll remember the trip but not the trouble in school (not so sure about that, but I see his point!)
Thanks again!

Marie Cloutier said...

I know what you mean about the economy. Scary times.

On a lighter note, your pictures always make me so hungry! :-) Off to lunch now I guess!

Tara said...

Marie, I'm glad - that they make you hungry! Thanks for your note.