In the four season climate we have in New York State, some of the first greens of spring are so welcome.
There is a pattern, a rhythm, to what Natures provides. For sale now are local radishes, and several foods only found in spring. To everything there is a season.
Ramps, our wild leeks, for example. I've blogged about them several times. They are considered by some as at gourmet treat. We don't eat them anymore, but they can be purchased in the Binghamton, New York farmer's market.
Fiddleheads, which I must admit, are not a favorite of mine.
Then, there are the more familiar veggies, such as asparagus. (In the background is broccoli rabe, beloved by Italians and others).
Spring garlic, which we also have in our yard. Garlic is one of these vegetables which changes form through the year - first, as green shoots, then the scapes (the part of the garlic that will become its flower) and, finally in late summer, the bulb most people are familiar with.
Mushrooms. This vendor will have them, perhaps, for another month.
Before we know it, most of these will be gone from the market. But there will be so much more to replace them. In the meantime, we enjoy the spring season while it is here.
Today is also Migratory Bird Day. Up at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, their team is engaging in a 24 hour birdathon. Spouse and I (new to birding) visited our local Wild Birds Unlimited to discuss a couple of birds in our yard. In the past week, we've seen two types of migrating birds in our yard or at our feeders (also new to feeding) - a pair (male and female) of rose breasted grosbeaks and also one or two white crowned sparrows. The birders at Wild Birds Unlimited confirmed the white crowned sparrow from a picture spouse took (alas, too blurry to show you). Such pretty birds ,and we are a bit saddened that we may not see them again until the fall when they pass through our area again on the way to their wintering grounds.
We are also eagerly awaiting our first ruby-throated hummingbird, another migrating bird. will they accept our offer of sugar water?
Tomorrow, in the United States, it is Mother's Day, and time for a special memory, some of which ties in with birds.
I hope you'll join me again.
I haven't been to the farmers' market in ages. Not since I got some vouchers, and I think I used them last fall before they expired. I look forward to going again, but I'll wait until I've had my second shot and the two weeks they advise. My farmers' market can get a bit crowded. I tore out my asparagus. Too short a season to devote such a large bed to it. It was starting to produce less. It was here when I moved in, for all I know it was 20 years old and done!
ReplyDelete...asparagus is the only one that I have seen for sale here.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to a farmers market since before the pandemic, I sure do miss it and can't wait to go back soon - only two more weeks! I love seeing all these beautiful photos of the delicious fresh veggies. I've always wanted to try the fiddleheads but have never seen them here in Florida. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy a farmer’s market! My eldest daughter works them as a busker (she paints faces!) and had gotten to know all the farms and farmers in our area. She brings home the most delicious foodstuffs! So they WERE grosbeaks! I’m so jealous!
ReplyDeleteAnd our tulips are poking through! Yay! We may get spring yet!
Just had asparagus with dinner last night. Have you ever tried microwaving them in a moist paper towel? Easiest way to prepare them.
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