Common Cuisine |

I headed over to our local farmers’ market a couple weeks ago to scope out the scene. Around here the market runs year round, although there are far more vendors in the summer months than in the winter.

I went looking for lettuce, and was pleased with what I found. There were romaine and spinach to choose, plus tomatoes and green and white onions. I bought two gigantic heads of romaine, which have lasted our family over a week so far. The second head is still hanging out waiting for us to need it, but it looks like it will last still a few more days. Maybe next time I will just buy one.

I got a few bonuses, too. From the romaine vendor, I received some sprigs of dill and a sprig of Thai basil for drying. And from the spinach vendor, I picked up two bunches of red scallions for a few cents. They have a woody flavor I could (almost) eat raw. Our baby-shower chicken salad the next day was bumped up from terrific to unbelievable by the addition of these sweet onions.

I saw a vendor of local honey, as well as one selling natural soaps and lotions. I used to wash my hair with a natural soap bar that left my hair so clean it became curly. I look forward to testing these soaps sometime in the future, to see if they have the same effect.

My daughter and I spent time at the table of someone selling potted cactus and other plants. She had an emergent butterfly drying out on her shoulder, that she had found in a bunch of parsley someone was purchasing earlier in the morning. Looking at this dark beauty was a very neat experience for my daughter and I. After taking several pictures of this wonderful example of God’s creation, I purchased a small cactus plant and we continued with our round of errands for the morning.

Total investment at the market: $7 for two heads of romaine, a bunch of spinach, two bunches of red scallions, a handful of herb sprigs, three onions and a cactus plant.

Now that I have a better idea what to expect, I think I can be better prepared to visit at least every two weeks (it is a 30 minute drive). I plan to regularly purchase tomatoes, lettuce, and honey. And after enjoying my bonuses so much, I think I will go prepared to spend a few dollars each time on something surprising. !Viva la aventura!