Sunday, July 24, 2011

Farmers Market Adventures

We have been babysitting our 2-year-old grandson this week while his mom takes a vacation. Satuday, it was my turn to get up early with him so that grandpa could get some much needed extra sleep and I decided to take him to the local farmers market in search of some corn. I don't usually go there since we have our own garden full of vegetables and fruit, but we haven't had much luck with growing our own corn and decided it was time to buy some locally and put it up for the winter. We walked the length of the market hoping for some lettuce for a salad tonight. He was looking intently at each stall... pointing out all the balls! (peaches and tomatoes and anything else round) Didn't find any lettuce, but we did find these eggplants. My grandson decided it was his "kickball game" (his name for a football) and he had to carry one under each arm to the car! I guess I'll be making some eggplant salad and maybe some eggplant parmasian this week!

Next I bought four dozen ears of peaches and cream corn and had to carry them just two car-lengths across the lot from the sellers truck to my car. Of course, I had my eager helper with me. He dragged one of the four bags of corn across the parking lot with all his might... refusing any help.... very loudly claiming "NO Nanna ME do it!" pushing my helping hand away. Several shoppers stopped to watch. He pulled and pulled refusing any help. "NO Nanna ME do it! Traffic stopped. Those plastic shopping bags were not up to the abuse and quickly the corn poked holes through the bag and he left a trail of four ears to my car. An older couple driving through the lot kindly sat there smiling and watching and waving him on! He made it to my car then ran back... twice... gathering up his "breadcrumbs"! So proud of himself! I'll never go to market again without my camera!

Here is some of the the corn shucked and ready for freezing. I was also able to can some jars of green beans from the garden while he napped.


And these orange cherry tomatoes run through the juicer made a nice "wake up" snack later on.


Hope you are enjoying your own garden harvest this year. If not... don't forget your camera when you go to the farmers market!