It’s a sign of the times that this array of cauliflower only had one head of the traditional white variety surrounded by green, purple, and yellow versions.
Shoppers opt for heirloom tomatoes: white, Asian, fairytale or purple eggplant. Carrots, radishes, and Swiss chard come in rainbow colors.
The UMass Cold Spring Orchard research facility in Amherst grows more than 100 varieties of apples. Perhaps apples are one of the produce items that we have routinely selected by variety over the years. Specific apple varieties for eating, baking, applesauce, and cider making have been long established. Regional favorites like our own Roxbury Russet have come back into favor.
Now, a much wider selection of many other locally grown fruit and vegetables are available from Massachusetts farms. As you walk from stand to stand, you’ll see more varieties of berries and longer seasons made possible by staging plantings for early, mid, and late season.
Greens
It’s been a long time since I saw a head of iceberg lettuce at a farmers market. I remember when the first offerings of baby greens and salad mixes appeared on the scene and were on my shopping list every week. Now, I could fill a shopping bag with different heads of lettuce for a salad to feed ten friends.
Today, I’m disappointed if I can’t find baby arugula or micro greens because they have sold out before I arrived. I like mixing purple, yellow, and white potatoes in a salad. And, I’m really disappointed when I have to shop a regular supermarket with fewer choices in the fresh produce section.
Yes, our local farmers have spoiled me with great options and I'm glad that more of them will be selling year-round to satisfy my heightened expectations!
What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?
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Words: Penny Cherubino (Adapted for BostonZest from one of her Fresh & Local newspaper columns)
Photos: ©2010- 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino
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