fruits of summer

if you haven't been to the farmer's market on 8th, you need to go.

though i feel as if the heat may be causing my brain to melt, i am already dreading the days when summer draws to a close and the produce starts to dwindle.

the peaches right now are so good it is absurd. i can't even count how many pounds of peaches we have eaten so far. i have yet to come across a peach this season that has been anything less than perfection. and when my peaches ripen faster than i can eat them, which is not often, then peach cobbler sets the world right again.

next, lets turn to watermelon. watermelons are a little more of a gamble than peaches, but well worth it. i can't think of a single thing in the world that is more satisfying on an oppressively hot night than cold watermelon. sometimes i eat too much watermelon and it makes me feel bloated and i fear that i will wet the bed.

canteloupe is a close runner up for favorite melon. watermelon is a better night fruit, canteloupe, i find, is better for the morning.

TOMATOES. hang on while my eyes roll back in my head and i groan with pleasure. a couple weeks ago i found these little itty bitty wee tiny ORANGE heirloom tomatoes at the farmer's market that are the new rockstars in my salad bowl. the neighbors also have several varieties of tomatoes which they have been sharing....there are these reeeeeeally ugly pink tomatoes they are growing that are HEAVEN. the insides are so red it looks like somebody took some red dye 40 to them. made some fresh salsa tonight. if you haven't taken the seeds out of a fresh tomato by squishing your fingers in it, your life hasn't started yet.

next i will be introducing the love of my life, peaches and cream corn. julie insists that i can get worms from eating it raw, but i don't believe her at all. i think that it is a sin to boil corn for any longer than 2 minutes.

green beans have been frequenting the table....often alongside wee tiny new potatoes. but i like to cook green beans and new potatoes for a looooong time and when the stove is on for very long the kitchen can be used as a sauna. same situation with fresh black eyed peas....need to simmer long time, could salt them sufficiently with the sweat from my brow.

let's see what else.......oh BASIL. also growing in the neighbor's yard. by the bushel. also growing in my garden. not by the bushel. got a little bit of a late start, so our bushes are not so bushy yet, but i have bright hopes for the future. how many pounds of pesto do you think i can fit in my freezer? and do you think it will be enough to last me until next summer?

let me also mention that at the farmer's market i can buy, literally, more produce than i can carry on my own, for less than $20. it is absolutely worth going out of your way. DON'T BUY YOUR PRODUCE FROM THE GROCERY STORE. if you really want to see the best of the best, go fairly early on a saturday morning. it is an experience that is not to be missed.