Farmer’s Market Love And The Virtues of Simple Fare
I really believe in the concept of eating with the seasons. On the occasional times I have been able to do that with regularity (when I had a CSA membership, when I lived on the Navajo Reservation) I have felt great. Like I really had a concept of what the earth produces at certain times of the year – you know The Harvest. I also found that it made me much more creative, culinarily speaking. You have all these veggies of the same kind for weeks in a row – how can you make them interesting? After having these experiences of seasonal eating, I have always wanted to live near a farmer’s market so I could keep up the good work. When I lived in MA and when I travel back to The Northeast and I find myself in Boston, I always get jealous of the people living there that have access to one of the best farmers markets I have ever seen. They have meats, cheeses, breads, fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, grains, food stalls where you can eat, ad infinitum. It is a playground for anyone who loves food or anyone who is looking for quality product- local, organic, FRESH and inexpensive! Granted living in rural MA we had our farm stands which don’t get me wrong, are pretty great. But I just envied the variety these people in Boston enjoy. Then I start blogging and I read blogs like Figs Olives Wine and Once Upon a Feast and you hear Amanda and Ruth talk about the importance of eating local and fresh and you see these wonderful photographs of the Farmer’s Markets in their communities and I think to myself, why doesn’t every town have this? Every town used to have this.The market has always been, for centuries, the mainstay, the hub of a community, have we become that out of touch?
Well I guess the Foodie Fairies have shined their light on me, because now I get to live in a community that has a farmer’s market and a good one at that. This is good news because it is more fodder for my kitchen creations and my writing. I hope to be inspired, challenged and in love with this market. I will do my best to do right by it – get most of my produce there, meet the farmers and learn who they are, just get back in touch with the earth, even in this small way. I love simplicity – great ingredients that still taste like they are supposed to after they have been enhanced by a few other simple ingredients. If Leftovers are rooted in simplicity, the other side of the coin is this.
And did anyone see the SIZE of that Swiss Chard Leaf up there?
How about this LEMON? Yes it is the size of a an orange, 5 for $2. Unbeatable.
This leads me to Today’s Recipe: Swiss Chard and Potatoes
This recipe is near and dear to my heart – it is my adaptation of one of my Grandfather’s recipes and as those of you who keep up withthis blog of mine know, I love my grandfather. He had 3 things he made: Home made Italian Sausage (mild AND hot), Pepperoni Eggs and Swiss Chard with Potatoes. His version is very simple – thinly sliced potatoes, garlic and onions fried in olive oil, mixed with chard, salt and pepper. To mine I add the juice of one lemon and Parmesan cheese. I then put it in a casserole and bake it in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 F. Then I broil it for a few minutes to get the Parmesan crusty and browned. It is simple fair but my goodness is it good, especially when you use such quality ingredients!
INGREDIENTS:
¼ cup olive oil
5 cloves of garlic, peeled but whole
½ large onion, thinly sliced
6 red skinned potaotes (I usually only keep red skinned potatoes on hand as they seem to have less effect on those with nightshade sensitivities), thinly sliced, like this:
1 nice bunch of Swiss Chard, chopped
juice from one lemon
salt&pepper to taste
¼ cup fresh and good quality Parmigiano-Reggiano (not the kind in the plastic tub – we are talking about the good stuff here).
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Heat the oil in a large (cast iron preferable) skillet over medium heat. Add the whole cloves of garlic and sautee until aromatic. Add the potato slices and cover with a lid. Leave it alone for 5 minutes. You want your potatoes to form a crust. So that the potato is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. If you mess with them too often, they will just get soggy. Take a large flipper and flip the mass of potatoes to brown the other side. Add the onions and cover the pot. Continue to do this until most of the potatoes are browned on both sides and the onions and garlic are nice and caramelized. Once this is done add your swiss chard and wilt. Place everything in the skillet into a casserole dish. Squeeze lemon over the top and season with salt & pepper. Grate parmesan cheese over top and put in the oven for 15 minutes. Then broil for a few more, so the cheese gets crusty and browned. Enjoy!
I have several more Farmer’s Market treats in store:
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
Sausage Greens and Beans
Stuffed Eggplants (Imam Biyaldi)
Lamb Stew
Jamie - January 11, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I wish we had a year-round market around here, but ours only runs from May to November so in the winter we have to make do with produce from the grocery store. But during the market months, well, it’s nice to be able to eat a carrot that actually tastes like a carrot! 🙂
I’m running out to the store right now for some Swiss chard because your recipe sounds amazing! Thanks.
Katie - January 11, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Your new diggs sound perfect! A great town (I would love to see it – have only been to the south of Florida), a lovely new kitchen and now a great farmer’s market. You must be in heaven! Enjoy!
Ivy - January 11, 2008 at 2:13 pm
It’s wonderful having a farmer’s market where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables. I love going to the market with all the different smells from the fruit and vegetables, the big variety to chose from and a palette of colours to create our everyday meals. Your recipe has been bookmarked.
Jen in MI - January 11, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I’m jealous – our farmer’s market season is really from mid-May through mid-November. We do belong to a CSA and that’s been lovely. This recipe looks absolutely wonderful!
Laurie Constantino - January 11, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I’m so glad you have a farmers’ market in your new home, and I’m looking forward to reading all your veggie creations. This one sounds particularly good. And I can’t help but noticing what great fingernails you have (ahh, I’m just jealous!)
Kathy - January 11, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I love the sound of this. I have spinach in the house and I’m going to try that instead of the chard.
Kat - January 11, 2008 at 8:07 pm
I think it is great that you have a farmer’s market! Where I live in Japan, they don’t have any (not that I know of anyway), so shopping at the supermarket means only being able to buy what they bring in, which is usually local and in season.
Maryann - January 11, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Your potato and swiss chard photo looks great, Jen 🙂
Bellini Valli - January 12, 2008 at 7:53 am
If only we had a year round markt where all the fruits and veggies…especially the tomatoes were fresh and abundant. I love the twist on your grandfather’s recipe. Great read!
núria - January 12, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hola Jenn! I’m also a superfan of the Markets: local markets, neighbourhood markets, weekly markets, big and small ones… all of them!
Lovely pictures and such good looking recipe result! MMMMMmmmmm
Karen - January 12, 2008 at 2:16 pm
You take the best pictures Jenn! Makes me hungry just to look at the pics. We have a few produce stands here in Baton Rouge; not any that sound as good as the ones you go to. I love the recipe. It looks delicious and seems pretty easy. I’m going to try it real soon.
Thanks for sharing and that is some big lemon:)
Greg - January 12, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Oh, lucky you! We are pretty limited here in the winter. I do belong to a CSA in the summer and we just love the fresh produce. Chard is one of my favorites too. Look at how nice and fresh yours is!!
Heather - January 12, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I am SO jealous! We have many truly amazing farmers’ markets here in Portland, OR, but let’s face it: we just don’t get that much sun most of the year! All I have in my garden right now are mustard greens and swiss chard, but mine just can’t reach the Jurassic proportions that yours in sunny citrus country can.
Cheers!
katy - January 12, 2008 at 9:51 pm
love the picture of the potato — that’s thin!!!
i thought of you last night — i had dinner at babbo and remembered that their pastry chef had just published a cookbook, thanks to your posts about her recipes! sadly i was too stuffed at the end to order dessert, but my friend’s sorbet was out of this world!!!
Truffle - January 13, 2008 at 8:16 am
What glorious produce and you’ve put it to such good use. Lovely photos too!
Windy - January 13, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I understand that it’s good to eat organic and seasonal food. However, it’s normally quite expensive and it’s hard to get. But I tried to get good quality meat, esp. chicken, if possible.
Meg Wolff - January 13, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I liked your blog about the farmers’ markets and the fact that ou are now living where you have a very nice one … and… I always like it when you write about your grandfather. I had to read back a few posts to find that you are living in St. Augustine. I LOVE your new kitchen! Happy home-warming.
Sylvia - January 13, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I love to buy fresh fruits and vegetables of the seasons. Your grandfather is a wise man…his recipe and newest adaptations by you are simply the best
steamy kitchen - January 14, 2008 at 12:00 am
we have a so-so farmer’s market near the house, but the prices are insanely expensive, like so high that I actually have to stop and think about whether I REALLY want this lemon from the farmer or should I just go to the market and get it. I know that’s bad, but the prices are that high.
Meg - January 14, 2008 at 11:58 am
I have a similar recipe from my grandfather’s family and I looooooove it.
This looks fantastic!
Happy Cook - January 14, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Isn’t it great to have a farmers market where you live.
Hee in my place we have twice a week on wenesday and saturday.
The Leftover Queen - January 14, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Hi Everyone!
Thanks for yourcomments…I have been sick all weekend, but am on the mend, so I will hopefully be back to posting tomorrow. Napping is in order for right now!
Hi Jamie! I hope you like the recipe. It is very good. Hey limited farmer’s market is way better than none! So enjoy it while you can!
Hi Katie! It does feel a bit like heaven! 🙂
Hey Ivy! You said it! There really is nothing better. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Hi Jen! I loved the CSA when I had a share – I lovd figuring out what to do with turnips, rutabagas and pumpkins!
Thanks Laurie! Yes, I have been gifted with good fingernails! LOL! I love making new creations!
Hi Kathy! I am sure it will be delicious with spinach!
Hi Kat, well that is good. Local and in season no matter where you get it – market, supermarket, etc.
Thanks Maryann!
Thanks Valli! mmmm…Market tomatoes are so good! I think it is hard to have year round farmer’s markets when it gets cold for 1/2 the year…
Thanks Nuria! Yep markets rock!
Thanks so much Karen! Let me know how the recipe turns out for you! That is the biggest lemon I have ever seen! 🙂
Hi Greg! Yes, that chard sure was delicious! I put some in the freezer to enjoy later!
I know Heather, that chard I got was really monstrous! Yeah, I guess sunlight plays a MAJOR part in the production of veggies, huh?! 🙂
Wow Katy! That is awesome that you went to Babbo! Next time you will have to go JUST for dessert!:)
Thanks, Truffle!
Hi Windy – yes, it can be expensive especially when you are not getting it directly from the farmer’s themselves, which is why I am so in love with my farmer’s market. I have never heard of getting 5 lemons for 2 dollars – plus the ones I got were HUGE! I spent less than $20 and fed me and Roberto for a whole week.
Thanks so much Meg! I love writing about my Grandfather – he was such an inspiration!
Hi Sylvia! Thanks! I hope he would be proud of my adaptations.
Wow Jaden! That is the total opposite of my experience! I couldn’t believe how inexpensive, how much quantity and how beautiful the products I got were. I’m glad I live in St. Augustine! 😉
Hi Meg! Yeah, it is really good comfort food, huh?
Hi Happy Cook! That is great! I love the farmer’s market too.
Marie - January 14, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Wonderful, simple food thats the best kind!! Your photo looks delicious!!!
Toni - January 15, 2008 at 2:08 am
Jenn, your photos are FANTASTIC! And the dish you made is right up my alley – simple, tasty and uses fresh veggies – yummm!
We have a pretty good farmer’s market here on Sundays. Only Sundays.
The Leftover Queen - January 15, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Thanks Marie! I am a big promoter of simple rustic dishes!
Thank you so much Toni! Big thumbs up to Roberto who does all my photography, well I should say most, recently. I was worried that my photographs were going to suffer after he recently started working on some web design projects away from home and has abandoned me to figure out some shots for myself. LOL!
Our farmer’s market is only on Saturdays.
Cris - January 16, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Wonderful, I just love the way you can make a delicious meal with simple and nutritious ingredients.
The Leftover Queen - January 16, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Thanks Cris! I appreciate it!