Farmer’s Market Extravagance

It is possible to be taste-conscious, health-conscious, and cost-conscious too?

The produce from the farmer’s market REALLY is that much better. But it’s also that much more $$.

After spending the last month or so wandering from gorgeous market to gorgeous market, I got a bit tired of only admiring the produce and photographing it.  Despite the fact that I was constantly eating delicious food, not cooking for a whole month was very hard for me.  So upon returning to Washington, I convinced my mom that, instead of our weekly visit to Costco, we should hit the Dupont Circle farmer’s market.

Despite the 100-plus degree heat and the fact that our lack of parking karma forced us to endure it in full sun for several blocks, the excursion turned out to be a resounding success.

Produce like this is a revelation… You think you’ve had a tomato before, but you taste one of these and realize your idea of a tomato was only a shell of the creature that a tomato could ever become.  You’ve never really had a tomato before at all.

Squash Blossoms and Other Plants

Rialto Food Market, Venice: Part III

And for my final installment… I bring you Venice’s finest fruits and vegetables.

I had the incredibly good fortune of happening upon this market during the height of squash blossom season. The blossoms are the flowers of the zucchini plants and are incredibly delicate but delicious, especially stuffed and fried. It made me sad that I had such a short time on this trip that I couldn’t take some home and play with them… but at least I got to observe their beauty and now you can too.

Tale of a Snail

Rialto Food Market, Venice, Part I

You know how current food movements these days are emphatic about connecting with our food?  About forming relationships with the creatures that help feed us, or become our dinner?

Well, I connected with this little guy.  He seemed quite gung-ho about running off into the beautiful Venetian morning.  He almost escaped the inevitable… but was thwarted by an unsympathetic Italian lady who’s mind was set on snails for dinner.  Regardless, I’m fairly sure this particular animal lived a good life, and he’ll surely meet a glamorous end (in Venice, no less). He didn’t become my dinner, but I’m quite sure he delighted someone’s palate.

Also, this gives a whole new layer of meaning to Slow Food.   Heh.

This is not a foodie blog

But right now, it is.

My first mission upon setting foot in Italy, accomplished

Okay, guys.  Here is where I eat my words.  One of the things I swore to myself from the get go was that this would not just be a foodie blog, much less a travel blog.  My intention with this blog is to be a point of departure for discussion on how individuals, communities and populations can improve eating habits in order to prevent obesity.  Hopefully I’m doing that, at least a little.

However.   I am a foodie.   And occasionally, I travel.

Like right now.