Yum, watermelon
That lushness of a watermelon, the sweetness of a fresh ear of roasted corn on the cob, the tang of blueberries as they hit your palate. As a New Englander I love, love, love summer eating.
My life centers around the Farmer’s Markets in the summer and early fall. I can’t wait to see the farmers selling everything from buffalo to green beans, I hobnob with my neighbors as we point each other to the best tomatoes. My son drools for the ice cream truck parked in the back with a long line. The only other longer line is for Clear Flour Bakery, one of the finest artisanal bread bakers in the country.
This year for the first time in my adult life I’m going to have a garden and I’ve got plans, big plans! Rows of tomatoes destined for salads and tomato sauce jars, green beans to fresh we’ll just eat them off the plants, bright orange carrots to color our table. My famous gazpacho will make a comeback …
Happy sigh. Here are some things to consider if you really want to dive into summer eating.
Shop with an open mind. Fresh and seasonal isn’t completely predictable. Go to your local grocer or farmer’s market and see what they have that’s fresh and build your meal around that. I always go to produce first and then decide on a meat to compliment it. Sometimes there’s so many good veggies I don’t bother with the meat.
Support local first. Try to go to a farmer’s market first and then do clean up at your local grocer. Stores like Whole Foods have been promoting (and buying) from local farmer’s a lot and this is wonderful. But going direct to the farmer ensures he keeps all the profits and also connects you with the local people who produce our food. Do this regularly and your view of the world will shift.
Try your own green thumb. Start small with a kitchen herb garden or throw a tomato plant on the porch. I am always looking forlornly at the “fresh” basil in winter because after you pluck a few leaves off your windowsill and throw them in your dinner you’ll never want anything else. I’ve thrown out almost all of my dried herbs and cook with fresh whenever possible. Basil, oregano and chives are all super easy to grow.
Consider a CSA. Farm share programs are becoming common. You can buy shares in anything from eggs, to meats and poultry, to seafood and the usual veggie assortment. It’s likely there’s a pick up spot near you. You’ll get to know a farmer in a whole new way, you’ll likely be on an email list with some great recipes to swap, and you’ll have an opportunity to meet even more neighbors.
Dust off seasonal recipes. My family literally drools when I announce the first batch of cucumber salad. I added gazpacho to my repertoire last summer to rave reviews and I’m still working on the Sangria. Pick out some family favorites and either use an old family recipe or hit the web for some new ideas to impress yourself and your family.
Supermarkets have pulled us away from the community aspects of eating. An aisle brimming with logos, a disinterested check out girl and an asphalt parking lot don’t do a lot to foster getting to know our neighbors. So think of your local food sources as an excursion, not a chore and enjoy all that fabulous summer food.
What do you like best about summer eating? What’s your favorite summer recipe? Do you participate in a farmer’s market or a CSA? What do you like about? Let’s share our stories and some fun …
Lisa
