tuesday market finds

This week a local farmer's market opened for the season. And such treasures I found! Yes, I have my own raised bed garden, a fairly substantial-in-size garden, but I am always on the look for items I prefer not to grow, or have trouble growing, or just too lazy to grow.

Many of the items were what I expected to find this early in the season--raspberries, strawberries, cherries, lettuces, herbs, tomatoes...all fresh, ripe, and flavorful. Walking by each booth sent a mingling of sweet and savory smells to the senses. What captivated my attention (and appetite)? I picked up some outstanding tomatoes and fresh basil, a few thorn-less (!) artichokes, and (a fantastic surprise) some peaches. These peaches are from a test crop of a new variety designed to produce very early in the year. With the heat wave we had a couple weeks ago, these pretty babies are sweet and juicy.

And just like that... I have the makings of dinner, if I can keep my hands off the merchandise until then!