Since we knew we were going to be away for a good portion of the summer, hubby and I bailed on the CSA this year. We figured we would get produce when we came home by driving through upstate NY. While the thought of getting back in the car our first weekend home was more than I could stand, my rear had sufficiently recovered from five days driving cross country for hubby and I to head out this past week-end for a ride. The purpose was to get in-season produce. This is what we ended up with:
(28#) peaches $16 (worked out to 57¢# which is very good in my area)
(2) Eggplant 2/$1
(10) Peppers 10/$1
(5) Zucchini 5/$1
(2) half pints Blackberries 2/$5
(1) quart Green Beans $2.50
(1) quart Small Red Potatoes $2.50
(1) seedless Watermelon $3.50
(1) Cantaloupe $2.50 (I swear this thing is on steroids it is so big!)
Total spent was $35.
The bonus was Max was so worn out from his car ride, he was passed-out-puppy the rest of the day!!
Over the next two weeks, I will be posting what we did with our purchases. Hubby has canning hopes on the peaches (bwhahahaha), but my plans include baking and freezing.
We have two more outings for produce planned (this is an enjoyable weekend activity for us), but need to await apple season – which has just started in the area, and will not be in full swing for a few more weeks.
• US Agricultural Data
• NYS Fruit and Vegetable Harvest Calendar
• Text version
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome job on those prices, I’m totally envious of the peppers!
Those melons are callled “rock melons” and IMHO, they are not as sweet and flavorful as reg. cantaloupe.
I’m waiting anxiously to hear what dh does w/ the peaches.
We hit a couple on the way back from Toronto this weekend, but the prices were not as good as the ones you guys scored on. One of the stands were Amish too!
My hopes are to hit our huge farmer’s market downtown. They are generally cheaper than the surrounding smaller ones. I want to try to can pickles this year and also make my own roasted red peppers as well…
Keep us posted!
Hubby and I are in the process of making the peaches now. This has been er, adventuresome.
Ann
Ohhhhhh???
Can’t wait for the recipes and pictures!!
Looks supper yummy!! I’m getting hungry now.
That is AWESOME! I’m so jealous
Great price on Zucchini, I want those price!
That is a HUGE cantaloupe! It’s almost as big as the watermelon. I’ve never been able to grow them that big. It looks nice and ripe. Now my mouth is watering so I’m going to run to the fridge and eat me some cantaloupe
Not a bad haul! Yumsky! Price on the potatoes made my eyes pop out of my head though. YIKES!
Great year for cantalope here @ my house-who knew extreme heat and drought made most flavorful melons. Live and learn.
Keep up the interesting posts. We don’t see interesting (and useful) things like this elsewhere, it sets you apart. Thanks.
That is great – looks yummy. My friend went to PA last week and she said she got a lot of great produce as well for really cheap compared to NYC prices. We haven’t had a chance to get out to a farmer’s market but would love to.
NYS and apple picking – I love it. Haven’t gone in awhile since I have had 2 October babies.
This time of the year is just great with all the fresh produce or if you have a garden or if your neighbor does.
Those peaches look delicious. I am jeaous of the beautiful produce. Enjoy. Have fun canning!!!
We are finished Leslie. I would not exactly have called it “fun”.
That post is gonna be a doozy.
Ann
Canning peaches is pretty straight forward. Freestone makes it one of the easiest things to can, IMHO. Much easier than canning chiles or corn. Beans are easy but they take so long in the processor.
Yummy!! Great prices too!! You’ll be enjoying those peaches for a long time to come!! Enjoy!
Ann, while you were gone one of the markets near us ran a groupon-like deal 10.00 for 20.00 of produce. I bought 2 of them. I love the markets this time of yr.
Awesome!
I’m almost shocked at myself for not making a farmer’s market this summer…I will try to go to one in my town on Thursday that I’ve never been to before.
Canning peaching tends to be not so much fun for me either…and it’s downright sticky! I’ll probably be opting to do pears sometime…
I also saw a canning recipe for canning “pie filling apples” (or something like that) with great spices etc. That looked really interesting given that I’ll be going apple picking in a few weeks.
Verry good job on the produce. i had done a lot of research on cnas and was getting ready to sign up for one and then I checked their ratings on localharvest.com. They had one complaint that made me rethink my purchase. I dont know if I made the right decision or not. I love the idea of getting lots of fresh veggies every week. Not sure that I want to make a season long committment with one vender.
You purchased everything that I love. I may have to start going to food stands to pick out my produce. Was their any issues with price. Did you have to negotiate the terms or was it all ready marked for you. Could you offer them a cheaper price to get the veggies? Just curious.
I saw someone buying one of those rock melons the other day. I couldn’t believe how BIG it was. Can’t wait for your peach post!
Have you cooked the eggplants yet? If not, I recommend making Melitzanosalata (a Greek “dip” made from pureed eggplant). Combine with Feta & pita bread and you have my newest obsession!
You know, its funny.. I cant not STAND eggplant..(makes me totally want to hurl) but I LOVE baba ghanouj. Figure that one out..
@ Ani, love, love that spread. Have you tried the middle eastern “Imam Baldi”? OMGoodness, an explosion of flavors in your mouth!!
No, I have not. Thank you for the tip!
Oh my goodness!! this produce looks SO good!!!! You inspired me to join a CSA a few years ago- then we move…. lucky they refunded my money- but definitely will try to do this again in the future!
That melon is not a cantaloupe. In the same genome, but different. It is a HoneyRock Melon or can be called Muskmelon. They all come from the family line of cucurbits. They are distinct from cantaloupe and are the best melons on earth. IMHO