The Land of Plenty

Beans, raspberries, potatoes, apricots, onions, garlic,
broccoli, olive-cilantro bread, chocolate cookies, cheeses,
radishes, and carrots, oh my!

Forecasts of a drought that may stretch into the decades in the American Southwest, famine in Africa, and other news of the world frequently reminds me of just how fortunate we are to live in Canada.  In particular, our weekly trip to the Withrow Park Farmer's Market truly drove home that we truly live in the land of plenty.  So, I count myself fortunate to be able to lay out this weeks spread before you.  A summer waxes towards peak so does the variety of produce available.  Apart from the usual suspects, we purchased from a couple of new vendors who are part of the Farm Start Program at Brampton's historical McVean Farm.  The radishes come from Iqbal Mauthoor, who came to Canada from Mauritius 25 years ago dreaming of having his own farm.  The carrots are Manmeet and Rupinder Singh's, and the product of generations of farming experience in India now transplanted to Canada.  I wish them both success in their endeavours, and am looking forward to some of the produce they have coming up.  We're also planning on seeing them and Laurel next Sunday at the McVean Farm 2011 Open House.

I need smaller hands...

The perfect batter!

It's also worth noting that a very special offering at the market drew us out the door early this morning.  Growing up on the north shore of Owen Sound we had wild raspberries growing up and down both sides of the quarter-mile lane way.  I still have fond memories of harvesting the small, tart black and red berries as a boy until one year they just didn't come up.  Imagine my delight when Roberta posted that the Riverdale Meadow Community Garden would be selling Black Cap raspberries grown only a couple of kilometres from my home.  It's often said that things aren't as good as you remember, but in this case that is most certainly wrong.  We purchased three litres.  While I stowed away half in the freezer for enjoying this winter, Suzy prepared a batch of batter to develop overnight for pancakes for Sunday brunch tomorrow.

While chatting at the Market today Roberta asked if I'd be interested in presenting a meal made entirely from market produce.  After some consideration today, tomorrow night's dinner will feature a, "mostly market meal," where all but some naturally smoked Mennonite sausage from Fresh from the Farm will come from our purchases at the market today.  I'm still working out the details, but it will be simple, it will be fresh, and it will be colourful!