Columbus Foodie

I’ve honestly got to say that early September is my favorite time of year for going to the farmer’s markets - EVERYTHING under the sun is available - you name it, it’s there - sweet corn, tomatoes, root vegetables, stone fruits, berries, peppers, apples and pears, and just about anything (short of morel mushrooms and asparagus) you could want or need. It’s very difficult to control myself with so many beautiful things tempting me, but I went with a list and (mostly) stuck to it.

We woke up early, and it was darker than usual, partially because of the crappy early morning weather (it had just stopped raining and was still very overcast), partially because we’re heading quickly into fall/winter, but either way, we got out the door by 7:15 and to the market by about 7:30. I kept it fairly light at the North Market this morning, just getting some eggplant for making Mom and her boyfriend Joe a pan of moussaka (and she says she doesn’t like eggplant?), and a bag of my favorite Honeycrisp apples from The Orchard of Bill and Vicky Thomas (the pic below is from Gillogly at Worthington, but it’s the same type of apple). I could eat these for days and days, they’re so wonderful. And I’m not usually one to eat apples out of hand either. While I was there, I also picked up some McIntosh apples for baking.

I picked up a couple of red peppers and some orange tomatoes from Wishwell Farms. And honestly, that was about it for me at the North Market this morning (other than a pit stop at NMPG to pick up some duck fat). Easy in and easy out before 8am, I didn’t even need to feed the meter. I was really tempted by this super sweet watermelon (I ended up getting a much smaller personal watermelon later on at Clintonville).

We got to Worthington so early (around 8:15) that a lot of the vendors weren’t set up yet - so we started on the other side of the road by the Graeter’s lot since they seem to set up there very early. I was lucky enough to get the last full sized heirloom tomato tart from Sassafras Bakery (she brought 3, and was sold out of them by 8:30, 1/2 hour before the market officially begins - stay tuned, because her tomato tart will be the inspiration for one I’m planning to do with some heirlooms I picked up today). I also got some Sungold tomatoes from Honeyrun Farm, and admired these super-hot (she said they’re about as hot as habaneros, and get even hotter as they progressively change through just about all the colors of the rainbow) purple peppers - aren’t they adorable? And from what I hear, their bite is much worse than their bark. We passed on the purple peppers, but it kind of made me wish that I could handle heat. But alas, I’m a chile pepper wimp.

I picked up 3 pints of ground cherries from Wayward Seed Farms, and had to fight hard to resist the temptation of fruit. Wouldn’t these pears make a lovely tart or cake?

And these plums? Look absolutely luscious.

Concord grapes were to be found everywhere today. Love the flavor, but don’t love the seeds, so I passed. If I were feeling more industrious this year, I would have picked some up to make jelly.

And I was extremely happy to see more winter squash this week. I’ve been craving it, and am looking forward to trying my autumn recipes. I picked up some apple cider as well. Yum.

After a couple more items here and there, it was off to Clintonville to pick up my eggs. My poor “adopted” hen Sweetie from 2Silos has been sick, I’m sad to hear. I hope she makes it through. This was a quick trip, as I loathe the crowds and the lines (you guys should have seen the line for peaches - around the corner and a quarter of the way up the block, folks - tasty peaches but not worth standing in line a half hour for, IMHO). I’m sad to say that I’d probably pass on Clintonville for the rest of the season if it weren’t for the eggs and Snowville Creamery. Hard to find parking and really long lines for items that I can get at other markets for a much lower price do not a happy foodie make. So I’ll probably just start going to Clintonville every other week or so and will try to make my eggs last. Especially since I’ll be flying solo for the rest of the year since Paul will be switching over to working nights (and thus won’t get off work until 9am on Saturday mornings). I’ll really miss his dropping me off while he finds parking and carrying my bags as I shop, but unfortunately, a bad economy dictates making a few sacrifices. Anyone know where I can get one of those rolling carts locally? Especially with all the heavy produce like winter squash coming?

I’m super tired, so I’m going to take a nap before starting to cook with my goodies. So where did you all go this morning and what did YOU get? What are you making this week?