Raw Food and the Farmer’s Market
The farmer’s markets around the country are back in full swing and I am loving it! I go at least once a week, sometimes twice just to have the opportunity to buy super fresh greens and veggies picked that morning! Even though many of the growers at our main market in Minneapolis are not certified organic (a very tough certification to get), many of the growers practice sustainable methods and do not use chemicals. You just need to ask.
Sunday morning, I was on the hunt for Kale. It is still a little early in our growing season so, my best hopes were for baby kale. Well, I quickly found out the baby kale was at the market last week. And the grown up kale will not be in for a few weeks. Even though I was unsuccessful in my bid for kale, there were all kinds of interesting greens, everywhere I looked. I kept seeing these lovely bunches (above). Turns out they are pea sprouts greens or pea vines.
I asked about the taste and was told that they are like spinach only without the bitter taste. Score! I bought a huge bunch for a dollar thinking, green drinks!
Turns out that pea greens are pretty amazing greens. 1 cup has 7.9 grams of protein. They are loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, Folate and Potassium. It is always a great idea to mix up your greens so you are getting a full compliment of vitamins and minerals. I threw a couple of handfuls into the vitamix this morning along with some blueberries and grapes (my favorite) and had a great, inexpensive dose of fresh greens!
If you are not already visiting your local farmer’s market, you are missing out on a great opportunity to support local farmers, and get beautiful, fresh produce at great prices. Plus it is just plain fun. For information on the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market click here: MFM.
Denise Walden wrote on June 10, 2010
We have discovered just the other day that we have a farm Co-Op that meets here every two weeks at a local church and we have discovered that there is an organic garden center JUST 3 miles from my house……………… We are thrilled……. And we also have a Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday downtown….. No excuses here..
Deah wrote on June 9, 2010
I just discovered your website as I am becoming more and more curious about raw foods. Happy to see you are in Minneapolis! And too funny–I too was just at the farmer’s market this weekend, and picked up pea greens. I didn’t know what to do with them, but with their sweetness I thought they’d be great as a salad with some berries and balsamic.
Jessie R wrote on June 8, 2010
I love farmers market.. 🙂 It is so much fun looking at and tasting new produce.
Susan wrote on June 8, 2010
Brooke: I agree. You do need to ask.
Brooke wrote on June 8, 2010
I love farmer’s markets too! I’m actually volunteering for a farmer who goes to one of the main ones in my area. However, I want people to make sure that they talk to the farmers. It is very dangerous to go there thinking everything is organic. In fact, of the 3 markets that I have been to in my area, only a handful of farmers grow without chemicals. There are actually a couple of “farmers” who go out of state to get produce and bring it back to the markets here. There is also a guy who puts up a stand in my town that sells produce with stickers on them. Farmer’s markets are awesome and they support the local economy, but we still have be vigilant, alert consumers while we are there.
Lori Sturgis wrote on June 8, 2010
I’m moving to Minneapolis at the beginning of the month and can’t wait to go there!
Susan wrote on June 8, 2010
Wonderful! Drop me an email when you get here!
Lupus Girl wrote on June 8, 2010
LOVE the farmers market…. Here in south florida we have them all year long!! I go twice a week and find AMAZING foods that are super yummy AND very inexpensive. Who ever said eating raw was expensive isn’t eating raw….. ;0))