Farmers Market Adventures, Part 2

I really love Farmers Markets.

And the one in my neighborhood ended in mid December.

*heavy wails of sorrow*

Anyway, it was good while it lasted. And I think it picks back up again in the spring.

But I saw some... interesting things. And you know me, I like to try new things.

My favorite was the multicolored carrots.

Those were GREAT because they had just been pulled out the ground.

I roasted those with a little butter and cinnamon. And that was good for me, because I don't like roasted root vegetables.

But this worked out!

So...

I was walking through our local farmers market, perusing the fruits and vegetables, and taking pictures. I was drawn to a table full of greens and beautiful broccoli.

I was a bit... confused (yes, that's a good word), by the light green-looking vegetable on the left-hand side of the photo.

I stepped a little closer to the table.

I was still confused. I peered a little closer.

Then I stepped back.

What the world?

"What is that?" I asked the guy behind the table.

"An austrailian cauliflower," he said.

I said nothing. That didn't look like no cauliflower I ever seent.

It looked like some alien spawn. Or something off the bottom of the ocean.

"It's seven dollars."

I wasn't paying seven dollars for... alien spawn or ocean fodder.

I walked away.

You know... I don't even like cauliflower. And that one?  Well, it looked suspect.

I like trying new things, but for me to try that, I'd have to try that at a restaurant.

And YOU would have to order it. And let me taste a little of it off of YOUR plate.

Otherwise, I think I will pass on that.

I looked that vegetable up. It's actually a roman cauliflower. It is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and cartenoids. 

And it is highly mathematical. It is a logarithmic fractal... whatever that means.

(I am more interested in that, since I am a scientist. *ladylee cheesing extra hard*)

Still looks like some alien spawn.

Or something found in the bottom of the ocean.

So now you know what it is. I'll let you all try that out..

Me? I'll stick with my carrots.

The Mane of the Lion

This is an extra special post, dedicated to one of my favorite readers, Remnants...

So, like I said, I have been hanging out at the local farmers market near my home.

Let's just say, I see some strange things. Very strange.

I was walking past one booth and saw the people laying out some interesting white slabs of...something.

I moved a little closer to the table so I could examine it.

I thought it was a piece of meat or something. It looked like some really big oversized mushroom.

Someone standing next to me asked the seller "What's that?"

"A lion's mane mushroom," the seller replied.

A lion's mane mushroom. I've never heard of that. The seller pointed to the mushroom sitting on a cutting board off to the side.

That's a big ol' mushroom, ain't it? Geez.

"Where do you get it from?" the inquisitive customer asked. I was glad she was asking questions, because I wasn't going to.

"We forage for our mushrooms," the seller replied. "They are found way up in the trees, and we have to climb the tree to get it."

O_O

Climbing a tree to get it? Really? I was waiting for her to say she was joking, but uh, no.

"How do you cook it?" the curious customer asked.

I wasn't really concerned about that. I was snapping pictures. But I waited for the answer.

"Oh, you slice it and sautee it in a little oil. It's really good."

Yeah.

You know me, honey. I really like to try new things. With my concentration on fruits and vegetables in my diet over the past couple of years, it is a MUST that I try new things.

But this lion's mane mushroom? That's taking it a bit too far. I'm not brave enough to eat that.

I would like to send some to Remnants, since she stated in some earlier comments that she breaks out in hives when she eats mushrooms. I wanna watch her eat it... then stand back and see what happens.

*Remnants gives LadyLee the hard side-eye*

That thing looks like it causes more than hives.

I found a picture of the mushroom in it's natural habitat.

Ugh. That is nasty. That looks like if you touch it, it will, uh... touch you back. It looks like some body-snatcher horror movie type craziness is going to jump off.

I admire the sellers for climbing trees and foraging for mushrooms. This HAS to be their passion. HAS to be.

Not me. No sir.

I did buy some of the wild salad mix on the table next to the mushroom. It was pretty with the little flowers in it. My cubicle mate, the Cowgirl Cre, made sure to watch me eat it. I think all of the offerings on that table were "foraged" foods. She (and I) just wanted to make sure I don't fall out from eating it. LOL.

Wild salad mix was tasty. I don't know about that mushroom.

The scientific name for this mushroom is Hericium erinaceus. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for regulation of blood glucose and cholesterol levels. It might even be useful against dementia, stomach ulcers, esophageal cancer.

Sounds beneficial!

Still not gonna try it.

I will let ya'll try it. Then holla back at me and let me know what's up.

I will just be satisfied with learning something new! On purpose.

Farmers Market Adventures, Part I

So, I happened upon a farmers market in my community some three weeks ago.

It's actually within walking distance of my house, and only open on Sunday mornings. It's no more than a mile and a half from my house, I think.

So it's a nice adventure on a Sunday morning. I haven't gotten up the nerve to walk yet, the major reason being that if I buy some good stuff and it's heavy... let's just say an Oldgirl won't be lugging bags like I HAVE to do that. Shoot man, I have two cars at home. I'm not going to be walking to market like my name is Miss Celie from the Color Purple.

Nerp.

Plus I live in the hood. I don't wanna get stuck up and shot over some kale, man.

Anyway, this Sunday was... interesting.

There had to be a good 200 folks there.

MAJOR crowd. And I don't like crowds. I just happen to be at the far end of the market in the picture above.

The last two times I've gone, there were no more than around 30 people at one time. I'm not sure what was going on. I thought this place was my little secret. And if someone was giving out groupons or something, I missed out on that, lol. There were some really long lines out there. Sheesh!

It was so crowded that you had to park several blocks away and walk down to the spot. There were a couple of times I tried to get a spot and someone beat me to it. And I was NOT about to be cussing folks out over a parking spot. People get shot over parking spots. Not me.

Uh no. I parked illegally right in front of the place. That's because I knew what I wanted.

Some of Antonio's Frest Pasta!

I purchased the red tagliatelle a couple of weekend. That was pretty good. I thought I would try the jumbo mushroom ravioli this past weeked. I tried to buy some the prior weekend, but by the time I'd circled back around to him, he'd sold out.

So I had my mushroom ravioli for breakfast with some sauteed squash and peppers. (Yes, I tend to do dinner type stuff for breakfast. I REALLY have to switch it up like that when I'm trying to stay away from meat, honey.).

That was GOOD. I added a dollop of fresh tomato sauce I'd purchased from another farmers market. Good and super fresh. The filling is a finely pureed mushroom filling. It is no wonder he sold out. I will have to ask him about that next weekend. He's quite the enthusiastic fella. And he sounds like he's from the italian motherland and learned to make pasta from his Mama or Grandmama. That should be a good conversation.

I also bought a swiss chard and cheese ravioli. I will try that later this week.

Makes me wanna get in the kitchen and make my own pasta.

Hmm... Don't think I'll do that. No telling what kind of ratchetness I'd come up with. LOL

I will most definitely be going back next weekend to get some more.

I like this little market. They have fresh local veggies at a decent price. And that's a good thing for me.

Stay tuned for more interesting farmers market adventures!