La Chasse Au Bonheur - The Farmers Market

#2 Going to the Farmers Market & Cooking with Farmers Market Produce

Week 1 Produce

Week 2 Produce

Previously, Ross and I had been shopping at Aldi for groceries. They have great prices but recently we've been very disappointed with their produce. It was all going bad just ONE day after we went shopping. That is just not right. 


I had been wanting to go to the Peoria Farmers Market all summer. Our bad luck at Aldi provided the encouragement I needed.  The farmers market had the most delicious and affordable produce I've ever seen! Not to mention, it feels great to support local farmers. The selection and variety were wonderful. Organically grown produce was also available.

Hummus and Pepper Wraps

Sweet Iced Tea and the best nectarines I've EVER had.

These nectarines completely sold me on farmers market produce. I'm not kidding you.... Farmers market produce is so much more delicious than anything store bought. I have never tasted anything so sweet and delicious in my life. 


Why does farmers market produce taste so good? I'm sure it has a lot to do with the way they farm, but it also has to do with the fact that they are selling what is in season. Often, food is shipped across the world to the U.S. so that we can have fruit and vegetables all year round. For that, I am grateful. BUT, food (especially fruit) tastes SO much better when it's fresh, just picked from a local farm. 

Patty Pan Squash and Purple Sweet Bell Peppers

Patty Pan Squash: This squash looked so quirky I had to buy it. I got it home and thought to myself, "Now how do I cook this thing?!" I of course whipped out my iPhone and found THIS link to give me some guidance. 

I ended up slicing the squash through the diameter. The scalloped edges are so much fun. Then I just heated the rounds up in a frying pan with a bit of cooking spray. I like my veggies a little undercooked so it didn't take long at all to warm up these bad boys. 

I learned early in life that squash can easily be over-cooked because it continues to soften after you take it off the stove. I always try to remove it just before I think its ready. By the time I sit down to eat its the perfect texture. 

As far as flavor goes, my mouth was watering over the delicious-ness of the patty pan squash. I seasoned mine with just a bit of garlic salt, but the natural flavor of the squash was unmistakable. 

Purple Sweet Bell Peppers: These purple peppers caught my eye from 10 feet away. Their purple color is so vibrant! I've never seen anything like it. The sign said "extra-sweet peppers" and I was hooked. Not to mention it was 5 for $1!

These peppers, although shaped like a normal bell pepper, are smaller in size and have a thinner flesh. The inner color is light green (you can see this in the image above that has a plate of sliced peppers).  

La Chasse Au Bonheur - The Hunt for Happiness