A Feast for the Eyes
The Vineyard Fresno Farmer's Market is one of the wonderful things about Fresno. Open on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, it features a beautiful and healthy cornucopia of vegetables, fruit, and homemade items like bread and cheese. Many of the local farms who sell their products at the market are organic or pesticide-free. As a farmer's granddaughter, I'm grateful to live in a place that can still sustain independent farms. And as someone who is becoming more concerned about the costs of over-reliance on big business, I like to support small, locally owned businesses. The vendors I talk with at the market obviously care about and are proud of the food they produce. They clearly have a lot to be proud of, as I hope the following pictures will demonstrate.
One of my first stops is the stand sponsored by Il Giardino Organico. I like buying their mixed greens and herbs. Today, I was especially taken with the beautiful gathering of herbs. I decided to go with the basic basil in order to make a pesto.
Another stand I love is run by Nueva Frontera, who specializes in various kinds of sprouts. Recently, I bought pea shoots (featured above) to make a goat cheese, roasted beet, and pea shoot salad inspired by a lunch at the Tate Modern in London. Today, I decided on sunflower sprouts to add to sandwiches and salads.
Another stand I love is run by Nueva Frontera, who specializes in various kinds of sprouts. Recently, I bought pea shoots (featured above) to make a goat cheese, roasted beet, and pea shoot salad inspired by a lunch at the Tate Modern in London. Today, I decided on sunflower sprouts to add to sandwiches and salads.
I was also relieved to see that there were still a few heirloom tomatoes left. If you haven't ever tried these varieties, don't be put off by their lumpy, irregular appearance. These are, by far, the best tomatoes you'll ever have . . . and they come in lovely colors.
My most adventurous purchase of the day was a fennel bulb. I've enjoyed fennel in dishes I've eaten elsewhere, so I decided it was time to try cooking with it at home. I'll peruse my cookbooks in search of the perfect recipe.
Overall, I scored some beautiful, fresh vegetables and fruit today. I probably bought too much, but now I'll be forced to be creative in how I prepare food over the next week. I've already eaten a salad for lunch, and I plan to cook the green beans tonight to eat with Johnnie's Squid Chicken. A mix of raspberries and strawberries will provide a delicious finale.
Bon Appetit!
My most adventurous purchase of the day was a fennel bulb. I've enjoyed fennel in dishes I've eaten elsewhere, so I decided it was time to try cooking with it at home. I'll peruse my cookbooks in search of the perfect recipe.
Overall, I scored some beautiful, fresh vegetables and fruit today. I probably bought too much, but now I'll be forced to be creative in how I prepare food over the next week. I've already eaten a salad for lunch, and I plan to cook the green beans tonight to eat with Johnnie's Squid Chicken. A mix of raspberries and strawberries will provide a delicious finale. Bon Appetit!
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