"...From pizza roll snacks in high school, ramen noodle college-days, those first months of marriage dinners (sorry baby), being introduced to the art (and joy) of cooking from scratch from a friend, and then being forced into seasonal cooking by our move to a small Eastern European town, my culinary courtship has taken on a life of its own. Now, the relationship is much more stable, more reliable. It isn't jealous or insecure, rather it enjoys growth and new experiences and can be relied upon for sustenance and support. And so, I'd like to use this space to share some of my experiences with you in hopes that your own relationship with food might become more loving and joyful."

(Oh, and just so you know, I plan to post at least twice a week and share a recipe at least once a week. So there. You can hold me to that because it's in writing....)

Friday, October 1, 2010

To Market We Go!

Long before it was trendy in the United States, Europeans have been waking early on Saturday mornings, taking their straw baskets down from off their shelves in the kitchen, and trekking into town to their local farmers' market.  The hipsters of American urban pockets, along with the hippies of yesteryear, brought the trend to the States and more recently the average American has decided that this behavior is not only for the uber-cool, but for everyone. Thank goodness for that!  
     A stroll through your local market gives you a chance to be inspired....to see first hand what exactly is in season, and to speak with others about the foods they themselves are preparing.  Think of it as a little hands-on culinary lesson.  If you happen to be a FMV (farmers market virgin), here are a few tips to help you through your first time:
1.  Bring your own bag.  You may decide to even go a step further and use a basket...and hey, if you do, you might as well wear a straw hat and your Teva's, too. But a reusable bag is a good start.  You can find these anywhere these days.  It's good for the environment and it says Hey, I know what I'm doing here.  Did you think I was a FMV or something???
2.  Have cash on you in small denominations.  Kind of like garage-sale-ing.  (Is that a word?)  Easier for both you and the vendor.
3.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Most likely, the person you just bought that butternut squash from actually grew it and, yes, probably knows a fantastic way to bake it and would be more than happy to share it with you.  This means at your next dinner party you'll have a fabulous story to share with your friends about the farmer who gave you the recipe for the butternut linguine.
4.  Also, don't be afraid of the dreads and sandals and hemp products you may be confronted with.  Hippies are just lovely people who aren't as concerned as the rest of us about natural body odors.  Plus, they grow fantastic basil plants.
     Autumn is a great time to hit the outdoor markets.  If you get too overwhelmed, you can always just purchase a few small pumpkins to carve later in the month. Enjoy!
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