The Coop

I volunteer at my coop in the produce section, and I hesitate to tell you how lovely it is because it is the secret treasure of my Monday. But I trust you, so I will proceed.

People think (well, I guess I think that people think -- I cannot really be sure what people think) that all the best produce is in the spring and summertime, but I definitely think the fall wins. At least here. You've got the bell peppers and berries and basil of summer with the hardier brussel sprouts and roots and squash of the later season. Delicious.

But now that "winter" is starting to settle in here (read: coldish, rainy season. We don't really have the kinds of winters I grew up with), there's still lots of local food, but more and more is coming from other places. That's why I'm really trying to eat as much local as I can while I can (though I guess that's always what I'm trying to do). I'm really uninspired by tomatoes right now, and I spent a good portion of my shift culling and stocking red, but I'm sure not so tasty slicers and more pink-than-red romas. From Mexico. I think that tomato that I put in my lentil salad (the farmers market hydroponic one) will be my last tomato for a while. Who needs a mealy tomato from Mexico (no offense to Mexico, but it sure as heck ain't local to me) when I could eat fresh greens from right around the corner? Going to farmers markets and working at the coop has helped tune me into the seasons just all the more.

Avocados are one of those foods I don't eat too often, more for the price and indulgence factor than their locality, but I sometimes wonder what life would be like with local avocados and what they would taste like. AA sprouted an avocado pit, and we have a lovely and lush, albeit small, avocado plant growing. If you're local and want to run to the coop, I reduced a lot of mushy avocados tonight. Just slice off the bad spot, and you're in creamy heaven.

There are so many varieties of pears and apples. I love the cascade pears and the concords right now, though there are many many that I like. AA's new favorite apple is the Ambrosia. My favorite of the apples? Mountain Rose! They are PINK inside!

So, I spend my Monday night with Jamilah, culling and stocking and reducing to make the produce look as pretty and bountiful as it can be, grooving to Michael Jackson and whatever else she puts on while we work.