An earthquake. A hurricane. Now what?
Hopefully autumn. A deepening of flavors, a richness to the light, a peaceful drawing in of days. It's not that I wish summer away, and we've had a lovely one without too much of the punishing heat the city usually musters, but I do look forward to autumn all year.
Most of September still belongs to summer, but the crops are bolder now, the colors and flavors a little brash in their intensity.
Think tomatoes.
Eggplants.
And peppers, peppers everywhere.
The herbs are at their sturdiest.
The rocambole garlic cured but still temptingly juicy.
And the fruit couldn't be more evocative of late summer. Blueberries, cantaloupes, peaches, and watermelon.
Apples are suddenly fresh, crisp, and early-season-tart rather than sickly and mealy from cold storage. And there are even a few pears about.
Other new harvests this month will include shell beans, brussels sprouts, lima beans, pumpkins and grapes. Plus the second pea and raspberry harvests are underway. Be sure to take advantage of beet greens, cucumbers, radishes, scallions, blueberries, cantaloupes, peaches, plums and prunes. This is the last month they’ll be available from the field.
Crop notes are available in the sidebar harvest calendar over there on the right all month. The information comes from a guide published by the CENYC, which runs the Greenmarket & New Farmer Development Project. To familiarize yourself with what's in season where you live, I advise a visit to your own farmer's markets at least every couple of weeks. And ask lots of questions – no one knows which crops are at their peak quite like the people who grow them. To locate markets near you in the US, check the Zip or City Quick Search at Local Harvest.
Happy summer and happy September!
17 comments:
What a wonderful array of fresh fruit and veg. Makes me feel like I've just been to the market myself!
My dear Amanda hope to the hurricane you dont have any problem.
I love your September harvest Calendar!! all look beautiful, love the blueberries! gloria
Kellypea, thank you! I'm so glad you like the calendar. The market really is at it's peak right now.
Gloria, thank you love. I was at my parents house in New Hampshire for the hurricane, and we got lucky. It went about 10 miles west of us. We feel awful for the people next door in Vermont with so much flooding, but very thankful we just had some wind and rain. It was a good excuse to cook : )
My favorite month!
Wonderful produce Amanda. I'd be interested to know how much the blueberries sell for.
David, me too! Well I'll tell you that about May, June, September and October. But I'm notoriously fickle and easily swayed.
Barbara, I'll go double check in the morning, but they're outrageous as a general rule : )
Great round up Amanda!
This makes me want to gobble up an abundance of fruits and vegetables... gorgeous photos! Stay safe.
Hoping you and your family came through Irene ok.
I'm glad you survived the natural disasters. You've made a very colourful post, the fruits and vegetables look amazing.
Barbara, $5 a pint is the best price. Not organic though. How does that compare?
Sally, thanks, it's a great time of year!
Leaf, me too! Let's hope all the dramatic geological and meteorological events are done for a while.
Anon, thank you. We were very lucky.
Toffeeapple, thank you and great to hear from you. It was all very dramatic. The earthquake more so than the hurricane for us. It was my first and quite unsettling!
The light on the carrots is particularly lovely.
Marion
I'm guessing a pint is about 500 grams. Blueberries here are currently $9 a punnet. The punnet looks to be about 250 grams. In summer they will go down to about $5 a punnet.
Gosh how I love these photo essays. I look at them and think of life. Hope you and the family are doing well.
Anonymous, thank you!
Barbara, wow that's pricy. I'll have to tell you what they are in the supermarket this winter, and we'll compare.
Cynthia, thank you : ) I think of you often. Much love xo
hey, what would you do with hyssop flowers? they look SOOOO good...
Lucy, I find the flavor of hyssop people sell here really varies. There's the anise hyssop, the one that tastes like minty marjoram, and another that tastes like peppercorns. I use all 3 with lamb, sometimes in cooking, sometimes in a sauce with vinegar and parsley and whatnot. And I actually sometimes like the blossoms in cocktails too. In more gentle, fruity things usually. Pimms and variations on that cherry sangria I made. What are you thinking? Does that help?
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