parsley, eggplant, whole wheat flour, white & orange cauliflower, eggs, lacinato kale, chive, tomatoes, romaine, sour cherries, strawberries, raspberries, corn, yukon gold potatoes, Andrew's local honey, summer squash, patty pan squash

I get unreasonably emotional at the farmers’ market. It’s one of those “I’m so happy I could cry” feelings. Especially in the summer, when the sun is out and beaming and stands are literally bursting at the seams with produce. I would walk around all day if I could. I got to the market much earlier than usual this past Saturday due to ambitious recipe testing plans for the weekend.

Even with being ahead of time by an hour, I somehow still got home at my usual hour of noon. Apparently when allowed, I will take complete advantage so that it doesn’t even matter how early I leave the house. Once I arrive in Union Square, I usually stop by this cute cafe that is conveniently built right into Union Square West called, Mighty Pie. There I get a coffee and then stroll through the park to Union Square East and start at that end of the market. I amble leisurely, stopping in at different stands, smelling herbs, feeling fruit, weighing vegetable prices in my head. Eventually I reach the other end, and I start my journey again, backwards. This time laying down cash for pints and pints of different berries, pounds of green beans, an ear of corn here, a stalk of rhubarb there, and on it goes.

When my bags are then what’s bursting at the seams, I waddle through the market, loaded down with vegetables and probably an inessential bunch of flowers and down into the subway. I find myself filling up with complete satisfaction and dare I say it, I almost get weepy.

I already admitted it was unreasonable, okay? Just look at this market haul though. I feel like it’s understandable.