Columbus Foodie

Is it just me or was it really really cold this morning? I wore a hoodie and long pants and still froze my tootsies off. Guess then that it should come as no surprise that some of my favorite farmers told me that this week or next would be their last week at the market until spring. Seems as if no sooner the growing season starts as it ends. And looking back, I really should have done much more preserving this year than I actually did. Maybe next year I’ll do better?

Anyway, got out and headed to the markets super-early, picking up my mom’s boyfriend Joe on the way (always love company when going farmers marketing) and getting to the North Market around 7:30 - I don’t think the sun had risen quite yet, either that or it was overcast, because natural light was at a premium this morning. Not everyone was set up, so we wandered around taking a few pictures, going inside so he could get my mother some scones from Omega.

There was squash, squash and more squash, as far as the eye could see. And apples. They finally had dumpling squash at Persinger Farms, and I really should have picked some up, but this week was a very light week for me since I have so much stuff leftover from last week. Instead, I just got some storage onions - something I seem to use up almost as soon as I buy it because I use onions in pretty much everything.

I also got some spinach at Combs Herbs, and some shiitakes from Toby Run. I passed on these apples from The Orchard of Bill and Vicky Thomas:

I really need take my summer decorations down and start decorating for fall. If they still have it next week, I’m going to have to get some of this dried corn from Wish Well Farms:

We got done at the North Market before 8am, so I got out of there without even needing to feed the meter. Which meant that we also got to Worthington super-early, which was OK because most of the farmers were already set up and we beat the crowds for parking.

I picked up some carrots, and pears, and also got some of the last peaches - these are a nice freestone variety that I plan on baking with:

I got some arugula from Honeyrun Farms, a big ‘ole gallon of apple cider from Ochs (IMO, after trying them all, I think Ochs has the best cider), a big bag of basil to make pesto, and lots of little goodies (apple pie & elderberry hand pies) from Sassafras Bakery.

Even though I’m not a hot pepper person, I was tempted by these cherry bomb peppers. The CU’ers that go to BonoTOGO for pizza seem especially enamoured by them.

I thought these painted tiny squash were absolutely adorable:

I looked for the lavender lady (she was supposed to bring me a cup or so of culinary lavender) but she wasn’t there today. So my “major” purchase for today was 5 lbs. of Brussels sprouts from Wish Well Farms. I’m planning on making a big batch of them tomorrow, was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to freeze/preserve the rest?

I also got some Honeycrisp apples, and a mix of McIntosh and Golden Delicious from Gillogly Orchards.

So what did you all get today at the farmers market? What’s on the menu this week?