Last Friday I piled the kids in the car and drove twenty minutes to the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market. It is the largest farmers market near Winston-Salem. It's run by the state of North Carolina Department of Agriculture as is Asheville's Farmers Market. There are actually five big markets in the state, each in different regions. I feel blessed to live close to this one.
We arrived at 10:30 am. There were people shopping but it wasn't crowded by any means. There are three main buildings. Each offered a wide selection of vegetables and fruits. Some things we'd never seen before like october beans. They were still in their hull a beautiful variegated pink and red (see photo). The farmer told us they taste similar to a new pinto.
We purchased purple hull peas. Things I would normally never get my children to eat. But I've learned if I let them hull the peas they want to try them. It's amazing how we connect with things we have to work for to enjoy. Many times I've herd the old adage, " anything worth having is worth working hard for." I've seen this demonstrated with my kids love for crab legs. But who doesn't love crab? Purple hull peas are a completely different story.
We continued on our journey picking out the best peaches, blackberries, tomatoes and melons we could find. And that is no small feat with a five year old who uses the "poke your finger through it" test. We also found homegrown bouquets of sunflowers, lilies and zinnias. Not to mention a stop at the Amish bakery booth for a loaf of fresh sourdough bread.
All in all it was a great day. I stocked up on enough fruits and veggies to last two weeks for the unbeatable price of $60 including my splurge on a $10 bouquet. We've been eating great summer meals with organic corn, squash and potatoes. I've promised to make an apple pan dowdy with the 1/4 peck bag of apples we bought at the market. That post to follow. - C
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