Good morning, all and I hope you had a wonderful weekend. To those moms out there, I hope your children told you how much they love and appreciate you for doing the hardest job in the world. I’m excited to report to work come September 🙂
It was a nice weekend around these parts… you know, the typical…
Bouncing around with Joey
Hanging out with Monkey Man
Laughing with the llamas
And trying to steal a baby goat.
You know, the usual.
But the exciting part was the fact that this weekend was my first CSA pick-up!
Excited doesn’t quite describe it- I was giddy! Our pick up location is at the Davidson Farmers Market, which I’ve confirmed is my happy place. Downtown Davidson was bustling on Saturday, and a festival was going on across the street. I joined all the 5 year olds in playing in the petting zoo before meeting Suzanne and picking up my treasures.
Check out the goods!
Fresh lettuce greens, picked yesterday. Baby spinach, also picked yesterday. A variety of potatoes, including SWEET potatoes, a bundle of onions and what is that in the middle? Strawberries??
Oh yes, fresh-off-the-vine ORGANIC strawberries. I think I had forgotten what a real strawberry tasted like. These little beauties were ripe and bursting with sweet flavor. I almost gobbled them all up instantly.
I love my CSA because everything in it is organic AND local. That’s hard to find. Also, for everything I scored on Saturday, the pick-up was only counted as a half share because she felt like she wasn’t able to give us enough fresh produce. Is this real life? The quality of the strawberries alone are worth $20.
***Tip: Strawberries are the only fruit that don’t ripen after being picked. So don’t buy strawberries that are still partially green- they won’t ripen. Also, these small gems have a million times more flavor than the strawberries that are oversized, pumped up with fertilizer and excess water***
Since everything is real, and isn’t pre-washed, a bit of prep is necessary so little friends like this one don’t make it into your mouth.
But a rinsing soak and a good patting
and your fresh greens are ready to go!
I couldn’t help myself and had to dive right in…
to a fresh spinach salad with strawberries, goat cheese and pine nuts.
The flavor difference between local and organic and grocery store quality is unreal. Night and day.
Have you been to your farmers market yet?
What’s the best find you’ve found thus far?
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
Great tips about strawberries! I haven’t been to the farmers market yet, but I plan to this Saturday and I can’t wait!
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
Your first pick-up for the season looks yum – especially the bright red strawberries! The small farmer’s market down the street from our neighborhood opens up in June – can’t wait!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
I went to the market last weekend but it was raining so hard that I didn’t stay too long. I was so cold!
I am super jealous of your CSA box! Lots of good stuff in there.
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
I haven’t been to the farmer’s market yet and don’t get there as often as I would like. I like the idea if having lots of fresh fruits and veggies in the house though so maybe I need to make more of a point of going!
blackhuff says
Those strawberries are so red and thus look so yummy.
Yes, we go to the Farmers Market once a month. Buying organic meat at the market is much cheaper than those in the shops. That is my best find this far
Brittany says
I agree- I find better quality for less money at farmers markets on produce and meat!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
mmm…I love fresh strawberries like that. It makes it hard for me to buy the ones at the stores. They have so much less flavor.
I haven’t been to the farmers market this year but that’s because ours is SO expensive. I can’t really justify spending that much money on produce. 🙁
Brittany says
Boo- why is your’s so expensive? Mine is usually way cheaper than the grocery. Tell your farmers market to get it together! 😉
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
i know, right?! I can find way cheaper produce at Whole Foods and everyone thinks WF is so expensive.
I’ll probably go again though and give it another shot.
Rachel @ Rachel's Recipes says
I am thinking about joining a CSA and this is making me want to even more!
Kristin says
Our farmers’ market opened last weekend, but I was out of town, so I’m looking forward to hitting it this week! In the meantime, I’m not quite ready to commit to a CSA, but I’ve found a great place called Green BEAN Indy that delivers fresh, organic, often local produce to your door on a weekly basis, and you can customize what you get in your bins. A little pricier, but so convenient!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
Happy Mother’s Day to you, lovely mama to be! 🙂 Your CSA looks awesome. I’m dying to do one, but I make it to the farmer’s market almost weekly. Last week, I walked away with 6 of the best cucumbers I’ve ever had…for about $2!
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
Very exciting! I can’t wait to go to a farmer’s market now that berries are in season 🙂
The animals are adorable – looks like a fun weekend!
Maria says
There is such a huge different between freshly picked produce and the kind you buy in the store! I don’t know if it’s the slight taste of dirt on the veggies (even after you wash them) or what, but nothing beats it!
Nicole, RD says
Organic strawberries really are the best 🙂 Our farmer’s market opens in 3 weeks…I CAN’T hardly wait !!!! 🙂
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
I’m going to have to get some more info about this little farmers market you are talking about … the strawberries look amazing 🙂 Is it close by?
Brittany says
It’s right next to Toast! …which reminds me, I need to visit soon and reclaim my mayorship 🙂
Melissa says
No farmer’s market for me yet. But my husband has some tomatoes, new potatoes, bell peppers, banana peppers, and eggplant that is ready for picken each day plus a few other veggies that are not yet ready like okra and onions.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Delicious! I really need berries like that…my grandmother finally taught me how to make her famous strawberry jam two summers ago, but since I’ve been moving around the country I’ve yet to be settled enough during strawberry season, and in a place where they are small and completely dark red all the way through, to be able to make jam. [Jam with green or white-tinged berries just won’t do!]
Also, baby goats are the cutest things. I would really like to raise one like a puppy.
Brittany says
I’m tempted to go berry picking and fedex you some berries with hopes of some famous jam in return… tempting…
McKayla (green groats) says
That produce makes me want to eat some salad right now!
Katie H says
oh my gosh the animals are so cute! Love them. My co-worker had a birthday part for her kids and had a petting zoo come for an hour- the baby goats were SO adorable! Your CSA goodies look awesome!
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) says
I went to the Farmer’s Market not too long ago and the veggies were just insanely price 🙁
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
I totally agree about the difference in taste. I’ve become pickier about produce since joining a CSA. I’m a little jealous of your strawberries. We won’t get them for at least another month.
Allison @ PickyEatingRD says
I loveeeee farmer’s market strawberries. The taste does not compare. I am hoping the Farmer’s markets start popping up around Chicago soon. It is just now starting to get warmer so we will see!
Sam says
OMG i want that baby goat!!! cutest thing ever. It’s so fuzzy! I used to have a pet goat that lived on my grandpa’s farm…but this one is seriously even MORE cute. I’m also totally jealous of the stuff you got…I’m sure those strawberries are fantastic!