FARMERS' MARKET HAUL

It's one of my most enjoyable May--through-September rituals.  I love all farmers' markets and frankly go to as many as I can.  I love the sense of community, the great food - both fresh and prepared. And then there's the haul home, imagining what I can do with all these luscious fruits and vegetables and flowers. For a quick fix, there's nothing better than farmers' market goodies.  We're talking here about Mother Earth's fast food: ripe, juicy peaches; sweet, sun-ripened tomatoes with a bit of fresh, pungent basil; sharp red radishes; crispy, crunchy zucchini spears. All healthy, delicious, and budget-wise. But then, there's the desire for a sweet or savory concoction to tickle the most jaded eye and discriminating palate:

• Tomato salad with finely minced parsley, creamy, crumbled Greek feta, white balsamic vinaigrette, and sprinkles of pink Himalayan sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Melon chunks dressed in lime juice and lime zest and topped with minced spearmint and crumbled cotija cheese.
• Lovely brown lentils with fresh-lime vinaigrette topped with slices of roasted beets and crumbled goat cheese.  (Yes.  I'm really into using cheese as a condiment to avoid excess fat. It's good. I don't feel deprived at all.)
• Voluptuous green squash stuffed in the Lebanese manner with rose brown rice and finely minced lamb scented with onions, garlic and cinnamon, and stewed in fresh tomatoes.
• Shredded radishes mixed with soft, lightly salted butter and spread on freshly sliced bread GF bread of your choice.

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