Is it just us, or are more people thinking about the price of food these days? Farmers will always tell you that food is expensive, and not just the dollars we spend. Growing and raising food is expensive because of the labor it takes to grow and harvest it, the land dedicated to the growth of crops, and the lives devoted to ensuring food makes it to our homes. It makes sense then that the word “economics” is actually from the Greek word “oikonomia” which means “household management”. The way we manage our home and the resources within it is a science all its own. Choosing to purchase wholesome fruits, vegetables, and ingredients can be an economic decision to invest in a product that is more versatile and useful than highly processed foods. The farmers, ranchers, and producers of our market are always grateful when customers choose to invest in the foods they bring to the market, and more often than not you’ll find the dollars spent locally go much further with these versatile, fresh ingredients.
One tip to begin the journey of seasonal and affordable farmers market shopping is to bring fresh produce home to your kitchen! Edible pumpkins and squashes are the perfect farm-to-table vegetables to bring to the family table this time of year. These cool-weather crops are suited for any serving size in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. When shopping for yourself or just for two, acorn squash and butternut squash are portioned just right for a nutritious and flavorful addition to the menu. Meals meant to be shared with a crowd are where pumpkins shine! Affordable and abundant, pumpkins provide more than enough servings to go around. If you’re planning a family get-together, you can stuff whole pumpkins for unforgettable entrees, or cut the pumpkin into bite-size pieces and roast for a bountiful vegetable side dish.
Of course, there are more crops to love in Autumn than just yummy pumpkins. Root vegetables like beets, carrots, turnips, and radishes are beginning to return after a long summer season. When we see root vegetables, it’s definitely time for soups. Soups are ideal for incorporating a wide range of veggies into one wholesome dish! Creating soups can use up any leftover produce in your kitchen and cut down on food waste. You can even transform vegetable scraps such as garlic peels and carrot tops into flavorful vegetable broths to incorporate into your soups, stews, and other dishes. Simply save your kitchen scraps each week as you make meals and add them to a freezer bag. When the bag is full, you can simmer the scraps in water for about 1 hr and add any extra desired seasoning, then strain and store in an in-tight container in the refrigerator for a low-cost and sustainable vegetable broth for your next farm-to-table soup!
Finding ways to use and reuse farm-fresh ingredients is vital to ensure we do justice to the value of the produce we take home! Not only will your kitchen become a place of creativity and innovation with delicious flavors, but your budget will thank you for wisely stewarding your home economy.
