Secret #1 is to have a friend like Alvin. Someone you can text at 7 am on a Saturday morning to see whether or not he or she feels like braving the crowds or the weather to find something wonderful to eat or drink! And Alvin shares. Even more important. You know, buy a quart of something and split it.
First we found coffee and a spot in the sun to enjoy it. Almost too warm. We sat down
at a table with a couple from Avon, NY. Margaret and Sam venture into the city to visit the Rochester Public Market on Saturday mornings to find deals and enjoy the mayhem. And mayhem it is. Friends, couples, families with dogs and kids and strollers. Market baskets bumping into each other as we jockey for position in front of one vendor or another.
at a table with a couple from Avon, NY. Margaret and Sam venture into the city to visit the Rochester Public Market on Saturday mornings to find deals and enjoy the mayhem. And mayhem it is. Friends, couples, families with dogs and kids and strollers. Market baskets bumping into each other as we jockey for position in front of one vendor or another.
The smells are incredible.
Secret #2 is to take those few minutes and share a table or counter with other
market goers. Chat about the weather, the news, our neighborhoods and most important what looks good that day at the market. Margaret and I got into a debate about wasting food when cooking for yourself or for two. Long since retired she pointed out that they don't eat as much as they used to. I had no idea. Watching my folks I guess I should have realized but I didn't. How does one person or two buy in the quantities available at a farmer's market and not have too much? How much can be made into soup or canned
or frozen. All three of which take time; lots and lots of time. The one thing none of us
seem to have. We laughed about spending Sundays making soup or chopping vegetables with friends and a bottle or two of wine. An idea worthy of consideration!
market goers. Chat about the weather, the news, our neighborhoods and most important what looks good that day at the market. Margaret and I got into a debate about wasting food when cooking for yourself or for two. Long since retired she pointed out that they don't eat as much as they used to. I had no idea. Watching my folks I guess I should have realized but I didn't. How does one person or two buy in the quantities available at a farmer's market and not have too much? How much can be made into soup or canned
or frozen. All three of which take time; lots and lots of time. The one thing none of us
seem to have. We laughed about spending Sundays making soup or chopping vegetables with friends and a bottle or two of wine. An idea worthy of consideration!
Secret #3 we decided, was NOT planning ahead. The key to a successful Saturday morning was a bare bones shopping list. The rest to be decided by what looks good or what's in abundance or in season or ready to be eaten or can wait until later in the week. Be open to the possibilities. Try something you're not sure about. It's July. So strawberries are done, blueberries are making their first appearances along with corn and other veggies. Flowers are everywhere. My favorite part. I bought a CSA membership last year because they had an "all u can pick" flower garden. Too much food but I had flowers all over the house from June until October. I didn't do it this year in hopes that it will be better to enjoy the market every couple of weeks instead.
Secret #4 is taking the time to make Saturday or Sunday evening dinner. Triano's had these really nice 6 oz filet mignon for $5.99 a piece. The raspberries are beautiful for a little bit longer. Small World bakery had freshly made Country Multigrain Bread. A leisurely dinner and a bottle of Pinot Noir. Marinated (Wegmans basting oil, salt & pepper) filet, the first of the local yellow squash I grilled. An arugula salad with raspberries, feta, walnuts and balsamic vinagrette. Oh and I grilled a slice or two of that bread too. Just enough for one with leftover squash for a sandwich on Sunday afternoon. This could work!
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