Farmer's Market

One of the nice things about living in California's Central Valley is the abundance of really good produce. My favorite Farmer's Market is an all-year event (unlike some that are open only from about March to October) It is held under the freeway in a parking lot reserved weekdays for State employees.

The range of people competes with the range of produce for the diversity prize. We see ladies in saris (looking even prettier than the flowers sold as several booths), folks who appear to be bikers, people dressed and speaking as though they were at a market in China, older people dropping by after church in their suits and Sunday dresses, and the majority of us who are just dressed comfortably. Everybody can get the kind of produce that reminds them of home. You can also buy lovely fresh flowers, plants, cheeses, and lavender sachets. Some people have those cool rolling carts, but I just load my shopping bags until I look and feel like a pack mule.

For just over $20 I got most of the produce I will need for the week. There are special things like golden beets (taste the same, but much less mess to trim and chop), really ripe tomatoes, wonderful fruit, okra, at least six different kinds of beans. The peaches, nectarines, and plums are on the wane and apples, grapes and pears are taking over. I will miss my summer fruits, although the apples and pears are good also. A wonderful book by Barbara Kingsolver encourages us to eat what is in season locally, and I agree. She does seem to think we can get anything year-round in California. Unfortunately, we really can't. That's why you have to enjoy these warm-weather foods while they are available.

Here's to Farmers Markets. Here is to a variety of sounds, and smells, and tastes and shopping somewhere more exciting that the supermarket.