winter farmers market

Off of work for a few days, I am mostly lounging around and fighting a cold, but I felt a little better yesterday. I talked my mom into going to the farmers market with me, hoping to find some citrus fruit for ice rings and punch. Instead, we had a fantastic fried shrimp lunch at the NC Seafood Restaurant and purchased apples, strawberries, and spinach. 

I have already snacked on an apple and used the berries and spinach in a smoothie. I plan to eat the spinach in salads, too.

I learned from my dad this summer that NC produces plenty of apples. In the winter time, the varieties available increase significantly. I tried Pink Lady apples first yesterday, then the farmer suggested this Cameo variety. They are great!

I was disappointed to have missed strawberry season this summer, but I was pleasantly surprised to find strawberries yesterday. These are "winter berries" from Lewis Nursery and Farms. According to this chart, I should be able to find NC grown strawberries all but three months of the year! What good news!

What are your favorite winter time farmers market finds?

farmers market this week

After my morning workout yesterday, I decided to head on over to the farmers market.  We were completely out of fresh fruits and vegetables, and I was craving more peaches.  What better to do when you're out and about in the morning and soaking up the last days of summer?!

North Carolina is not exactly known for our apples, and summer isn't what I think of as apple season, but I was really, really hoping that I would find apples.  I don't recall ever buying them at the farmers market before.  I was thrilled to find a farmer selling TWO types of apples, WITH SAMPLES.  I definitely ate one on the drive home.  Then I ate a peach after I got my haul inside.

Note: After reading this post, my dad informed me that NC is a big apple producer. During a winter time trip to the farmers market, I found many more varieties of apples. My new favorite variety is Cameo.

For lunch, I cooked a squash and the bell pepper with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and a grated bulb of elephant garlic.  It was delicious with whole wheat spaghetti and some leftover tomato basil sauce (not pictured).  Even my food is hand me down.  

How do you make healthy eating enjoyable?  What is your latest farmers market thrill?