My Eating Locally Project 2015: January
Shopping locally at Austin’s farmers markets and farm stands is a project I’ve been telling myself to undertake for quite some time.
I’m doing this for a few “want” reasons:
1. I want my husband & I to eat healthier. We’re well into middle age and we need to be more cognizant of what we put into our bodies. It’s not that we eat badly; it’s that we can always eat better. (This is not to say occasional indulgence is off the table.)
2. I want to teach myself to cook more seasonally. Like most people, I simply go to the store and grab whatever’s there, regardless of the season. Cooking more seasonally will force me to be more creative in the kitchen. That’s fine by me.
3. I want to support local farmers, ranchers, and vendors. The food is better, safer, you know where it comes from, and shopping locally is good for the environment. Less carbon footprint along with encouraging organically raised produce and meat.
This is most definitely a project that will be evolving over the year (and, hopefully, beyond). Right now, I’ll just visit in-town (Austin) markets and farm stands. As time goes on, I’ll travel further afoot, but always within a 50-mile radius so I can make meals at home with the largest variety of local options. The exception will be if I am traveling out of town for whatever reason. I’ll plan on looking around any markets in those towns and posting them as a travelogue.
The other thing (as one of my sisters pointed out to me) is that I should post recipes of everything I make from what I buy. Since I missed the obvious here, I don’t have any recipes for January. But, I will starting in February. I did take pictures of some of the meals I made, though.
While thinking about the markets and stands I was going to patronize, I thought about the ones I know best and/or have heard about the most: SFC Market in downtown Austin, Hope Farmers Market, Boggy Creek Farm, and Springdale Farm. They’re all excellent markets and stands with a wide variety of not just produce, but also locally made baked goods, local artisan products, locally legendary homemade treats, and locally sourced organic meat. Not all of the places I’ve visited have everything I’ve listed here, but you’ll be happy with what you find.
A note: I decided that when I shop at the markets and stands, I wouldn’t buy any more perishables than I could cook in 2 meals (unless I can freeze them – like meat). Shopping at these markets and stands can cost a little more than the local grocery store (but worth it), so I choose not to buy too much so I can make sure the food doesn’t spoil before I cook it. I’m not too keen on wasting food or money.
SFC Farmers Market, January 3
I went to my first farmers market of the year early (they open at 9). My general strategy for going early is to avoid the crowds and to potentially get the best of what’s available.
Most of my haul from the market. Sourdough Wheat Bread, Turnips, Sorrel, Maroon Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, Comb Honey, Dark Chocolate Salted Almond Bar, Dark Chocolate CinnaNib Bar.
Sourdough wheat from Texas French Bread.
The chocolate bars came from Cocoa Puro. These poor ladies were freezing.
A few of the other early risers.
Some of the beautiful produce from Tecolote Farm.
Turnips and Sorrel from Tecolote Farm.
Turnips. A most underrated vegetable.
This stand simply blew me away. Johnson’s Backyard Garden. I only bought two items from them; but I could’ve bought a whole lot more.
Maroon Carrots and Brussels Sprouts from JBG.
Personally, I thought I showed remarkable restraint in the face of temptation.
Just… Wow.
Comb Honey from Austin Honey Company. As we all know, eating local honey daily will help with allergies. It takes time, but it does work. Next time, I’ll buy some candles, too.
Whole chicken from Smith & Smith Farms
Here’s my chicken. A beautiful 3-pound fryer. It actually tasted like chicken. Just like Nannie used to cook.
The backdrop.
The menu at The Zubik House food truck. Amazing artisanal kolaches.
Breakfast from The Zubik House: Apple, Bacon & Brie; Chorizo & Oaxaca Cheese; Boudin. Husband’s only complaint – not enough chorizo.
Dinner: Citrus Chicken, Honey Braised Turnips & Carrots, Sauteed Turnip Greens.
Wednesday, January 7
I went to one of my favorite places in Austin, Springdale Farm. It’s a beautiful place that I just don’t visit often enough. Owners Glenn and Paula Foore are simply great people who have weathered many storms to make their farm a success.
The chicken coop. I could stand there and watch them for hours.
Chickens enjoying their produce.
As I recall, it was going to freeze that night, so the fields are covered as a precaution.
When I arrived, there was a large tour at the farm that morning. They bought a lot of produce before I got there, so there wasn’t as much for me to buy. Good for the Foores, not so much for me. But, I still managed to find some wonderful produce.
My haul: Purple Cauliflower, Red Chard, Savoy Cabbage, Grapefruit, Baby Arugula.
Smoked Pepper Mix. Its got a kick.
The chalkboard so you can see what’s available.
Cabbage, fennel, kale, and other assorted greens.
Purple cauliflower.
FYI…
Dinner: Smoked Pepper Mix & Lemon Thyme Rubbed Pot Roast; Arugula, Spinach & Grapefruit Salad, Sauteed Chard
Sunday, January 11
Hope Farmers Market is one I have heard about for a long time but never visited. My friend Phil is a volunteer at the market and has been encouraging me to stop by. It’s a smaller market at Plaza Saltillo in east Austin with, like the SFC Farmers Market, a variety of vendors.
There weren’t too many people at the market when I arrived. It was a cold, damp morning; so, that, no doubt, kept many people inside or they waited until later to come out.
A quiet morning a the market.
As a bonus that morning, Austin Dog Rescue was having a sort-of open house. Lots of very sweet dogs ready for adoption. If my husband and I were in the market for a dog, I certainly would’ve taken a closer look.
All kinds of dogs up for adoption.
I didn’t buy too much at Hope. I still had produce left over from earlier in the week and didn’t want to take a chance on not preparing it before it went bad.
But, I did get some great bread and protein.
My haul: Chorizo, Beef Marrow Butter, Nine-Grain Bread
Nine-Grain Bread from Easy Tiger. If you go to their East 6th Street Location, they have a great beer garden with an extensive menu.
Chorizo and Beef Marrow Butter from Countryside Farms.
Fresh Eggs from Countryside Farms. I didn’t buy any. Maybe next time.
A view down Plaza Saltillo. Comal Street.
One of my new favorite trucks: Rosarito Taco Truck
The famous Octopork Tacos. I bought 4 for lunch. Total overkill, but I couldn’t resist.
Dinner: Chorizo; Warm Cabbage-Apple Slaw
Wednesday, January 22
After taking off for a few days for teaching and travel, I once again headed towards east Austin to my favorite farm stands: Boggy Creek and Springdale Farms.
Boggy Creek Farm is one of the oldest urban market farms in the country. It was established in 1992 by Carol Ann Sayle and Larry Butler. They are two of the loveliest people you could ever meet. Larry’s homemade condiments are legendary in Austin. Especially his Smoked Dried Tomatoes. He can’t keep up with the demand.
A small section of Boggy Creek Farm. Gorgeous.
Boggy Creek’s chickens. They come to the coop fence to greet you.
This girl decided to sneak out and follow me around.
My haul: From Boggy Creek – Purple and Yellow Carrots; Sweet Potatoes; Dino Kale; Maria’s Brassica Salad; Larry’s Smoked Dried Tomatoes; Pork Loin Chops from Peaceful Pork. From Springdale Farm – Red Beets; Garlic Chives (I was really excited about those. They’re so much better than regular chives.)
Inside Boggy Creek’s farm stand. Greens, root vegetables, salad mixes, and Larry’s treats abound. They also carry meat and dairy products from local vendors as well as eggs from their own chickens. The lady working the stand told me that carrot tops were edible. Honestly, I had never given them any thought. So, when I made dinner that night, I cut off the tips and added them to the salad. Revelation attained.
The bulk salad bins at Boggy Creek.
Boggy Creek Farm Stand on a chilly, damp morning.
After finishing at Boggy Creek, I headed over to Springdale Farm. I was there about 5 minutes, so I didn’t take any photos.
Dinner: Cumin Marinated Chicken Breast, Smoked Dried Tomato Rice, Brassica Salad with Bacon and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Next night’s dinner: Pork Loin Chops (these come from heritage pigs so they have a substantial amount of fat; they also have substantial flavor), Baked Sweet Potatoes, Sauteed Beet Greens & Dino Kale.
Looking forward to February!
