Monday, February 4, 2008

Eating out of seaon, not locally

Did I ever mention that I think it's really important to eat seasonally and locally? Well, I do. But last night I didn't.

I was delighted to find at my local produce market, Monterey Market, fresh asparagus at a reasonable price with a label that said (on quick glance) something about California. I snapped up two bunches, thinking how nicely they would go with the herb-roasted chicken, pan gravy, buttermilk parmesan mashed potatoes, and green salad I had planned for Sunday dinner. I happily remarked to Bill, the owner, "How nice to have California asparagus this early!" I was crushed when he revealed "It's not. It's from Mexico." I guess the packaging company is in California,but the asparagus was grown in Mexico. Ok, but California is quite close to Mexico, right?? Anyhoo, I could not rid from my head visions of asparagus roasted in olive oil with garlic, sprinkled with Meyer lemon zest. I could not help myself. So that's what we had.





Bill says California asparagus is due in next month. So I'll postpone my annual asparagus pig-out until then.

4 comments:

Erin said...

Yeah, this is the bleakest time of year for me (I only buy produce at the farmer's market except for the occasional blueberry splurge at TJ's). Getting tired of greens, citrus, apples and kiwis. Now is the time I start dreaming of strawberries and look longingly at the Chilean grapes at Safeway.

I trimmed up my raspberry canes today though -- spring is just around the corner.

Mrs.Preppy said...

Love asparagus. Excpt, not the day after.....

Libby said...

I don't think Slow Food will write you up for one little indulgence in some fantastic looking asparagus.

I'm jealous you have Meyer lemons on hand, it's very hard to find those babies around here.

Meg said...

I love, love, love asparagus...that looks so good!