Marco's Farmers Market Watch: September 15th

Buongiorno,
Our Cook Here and Now anniversary dinner is one week away and our chosen fruit and vegetables are looking splendid... those peppers are everywhere, in all shapes and colors.
Stone fruit is on its way out (so long, plums, peaches and nectarines) and apples, pears and grapes are taking over the stands.
Tomatoes and eggplants of all kinds are still tasty: you have about a month left.
See you at dinner next Sunday  -- details are going out Monday.
Ciao,
Marco Flavio

What I found this week:

Japanese Eggplant (see above) is here -- you'll recognize them as the ones that are completely purple, including the stem. Succulent and not bitter in the least bit, for that perfect stir-fry. Recipes from Epicurious.

Peppers, overwhelmingly flavorful peppers ... mild, hot, or punishing.
Bell peppers recipes from Allrecipes and Epicurious.
Jalapeños recipes from Allrecipes or Epicurious.
Habañeros recipes from Allrecipes and Epicurious.
Thai chillis recipes from Allrecipes of Epicurious.

Thai chillies

Jalapeños



Orange Habañeros

Dime-size and surprisingly sweet husked tomatoes -- smaller than the grape variety and with a uniquely sweet flavor profile, they're the candy of the tomato world. Husk yourself a few.



Winter melon is already here: It's a great fleshy, mild ingredient for your fall soups.
Here's a great one from Epicurious.

If you're celebrating Ramadan, there's a truly wonderful selection of fresh and dry dates to break fast with. Supermarket dates are so bland...

Fresh dates



I'm still pretending that Kabocha winter squash are not really here... but there are so many of them that there's no denying summer's officially over. Bring on the fall! Cooked and pureed, they make the *best* pumpkin pie.

 

Comments

[Sophie]

Gorgeous pictures. You know I've never seen fresh dates like that before!

We've been getting (in the UK) the most wonderful round heirloom italian eggplant varieties

[Rosy]

Please add me to the waiting list for October 14!
Thanks.