If there is ever a reason to wake up early on the weekends it is to attend the local farmers market. There is just something about the array of colors and the wide assortment of all things fresh that make these markets so great. I love the slow walkers who stop and feel the produce, stop and smell the beautiful bouquets, stop and ask the local farmers questions.
On Saturday, I walked to the Winona Farmers Market. The air was brisk and reminiscent of the fall. The smells wafting from the French crêpe stand alone were enough to draw me in. I make it a rule that you must take one lap around the market before making any purchases. By taking a walk around, you can get a feel for what is obviously in season and which stand has the best prices. I also find it helpful to let the produce dictate your recipe choice and not the other way around. For example, if the tomatoes look really good, plump, and shiny, buy the tomatoes and decide what you are going to make with them later. On this trip I had to pick up a few small zucchinis just because they were so cute and colorful (green, yellow, and white!). I also picked up some baby cucumbers because they looked so fresh and I could not beat the price of three for $1.
Farmers markets are great for many reasons. Specifically, they provide fresh, organic produce, they support the community, and they are great for college kids on a budget. I love that everything sold at the farmers market was touched by the hands of someone who took the time to plant, cultivate, or create it. It did not go through a factory where a machine sprayed it with a preservative in order for it to look “perfect” at your grocer. There are cracks and dirt on the pumpkins, the peppers are a little lopsided but they are all organic and in season. And they’re delicious. Another thing that makes farmers markets wonderful is that they support local farms, and families. They bring revenue into a community. Often you can talk to the person who planted the food, made the bread, or picked the flowers with their own hands right at their respective stand. The pride farmers have for their product is evident, making you want to support them even more. Farmers markets are great for college students because they are relatively cheap and you can often pick the quantity of what you want to buy. By being able to choose the amount of produce you are buying allows you to buy as much as you think you can eat, reduces your waste, and saves you money.
As I left the market I was thinking that it is unfortunate that winter has to come too soon in Minnesota and that I would only have a few more weekends left to enjoy the market. To my surprise, a chalkboard sign advertised that there will be an indoor winter market in the Rec Center this year! It looks like the Winona community will be able to enjoy fresh goods all year long.
After getting home, I whipped up some zucchini fries with my roommates for a tasty, healthy treat. They were a hit, and yet another reason why I need to go back to the market and get more zucchini next week.