January/February Fruits and Veggies at the Farmer’s Market

by Mary Papoulias-Platis

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How often do you stop by your local market? I try and visit at least once a week-but I don’t often have that luxury. Yes, I called it a luxury because for me, meeting the farmer’s and connecting to my community is so very important. Being present and taking in the smiles and laughter as you pass booth after booth, brings me satisfaction. It shows me people are developing friendships and relationships with the vendors.

When I was young my aunt and uncle (pictured below) had an avocado grove, and we would stack up the boxes of freshly picked avocados in the back of my Uncle Mike’s truck, and head to the San Diego farmer’s market. Soon after, he opened his own market called Uneeda Market on “C’ street downtown. The shop was filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, reflecting his love for the farm. It was a small sandwich shop, with freshly baked meats, not purchased process meats, that my Aunt Liza created  into scrumptious sandwiches for all the lunch crowd downtown to enjoy.

I guess this is where I get so much out of visiting and buying my produce at the weekly markets. And the best part of all of this is that eventually these connections work into long term friendships and possible future working partners.  Want to get to know a city your visiting…plan on stopping by a nearby farmer’s market for a bite or two and you too will receive that  friendly smile.

This is my uncle in downtown San Diego at one of the first farmer’s market, displaying his fruit from the avocado ranch.

Mike Balason

Here I compiled a list of what to expect this month at your local farmer’s markets. Of course it will vary what part of the country you live in. I would love to hear what you have going on in your town. For me the farmer’s market is a clear reflection of the communities efforts to reach out and say hello and introduce you to all these fabulous treats from our local fields. January’s Fruits: Pears, Avocados, Cinnamon Pear, Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Pomagrantes, Persimmons

January’s Vegetables: Asian Pears, Arugula,Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Butternut, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Greens, Endive, Fennel, Kale, Mandaringuats, Mushrooms,Parsnips, Potatoes, Radishes, Radicchio, Spinach, Shallots,Sweet Potatoes, Sunchokes.

For a more complete list with recipes visit my Pinterest page: January Farmer’s Market

 

 

© 2015 – 2017, Mary Papoulias-Platis. All rights reserved.

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