The Farmer's Market

Perhaps I am bizarre, but there is just something so fantastic about being around all of that fresh food. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love grocery shopping in general, but going to the farmer's market seems to just stimulate the cooking gene in me. Whereas being in the grocery store tempts me with frozen pizza and ice cream, going to the farmer's market makes me want to cook. 

I used to go to the farmer's market every week, when I lived downtown. But then we decided to move to Scotts Valley to save money, and I got so busy with school that the farmer's market just became so far away. Now, with graduation behind me, and apartment hunting in Santa Cruz occupying my newfound free time, I get to safely indulge in my joyous marketing once more. 

There is one stall there that sells only homemade pasta. Ravioli, angel hair noodles, sauces, pesto, all of my favorite dinner foods right at my fingertips, and healthy as can be. How fantastic is that? Also, going to the farmer's market gives me the chance to make use of one of my bookstore impulse-buys from last summer: The San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market Cookbook by Christopher Hirsheimer and Peggy Knickerbocker. It is organized according to season, and contains various recipes that involve each vegetable you are likely to find that season at the market. I adore cooking with fresh food, being somewhat health-obsessed myself, and so this book has given me all of the ideas I could possibly hope for. 

For instance, this peach bruschetta with blue cheese that I am just off to try. I have been home from the gym for almost an hour now, and it is definitely time for a snack. I'll let you know how it goes!