September at the Farmer’s Market = Finds Minneapolis MN & The Minnesota State Fair 2017

Yesterday I spent time at the Minnesota State Fair 2017 in St Paul, where I overindulged in food – what else – visited the pet center to look at dogs; saw many fine works of art; was in awe at the Leisure Time Crafts and Foods displays. The skill of the many entries of quilts, sewing, beading carving, canoe building, glass arts, china painting, and too many categories to name of Creative Activities was inspiring.

I watched a woman spin yarn from what looked like a small cloud of rainbow colors by hand and with a hand machine. Well lets just say “Hurrah!” for the beauty and skill displayed that reaffirms how people are dedicated to making the world a better place to live in and enjoy.

For the finale, after six hours, my friend and I made our way quickly through the animal barns with rabbits, goats, and horses. Then joined the throng of people to wend a path back to the buses.

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Today, Sunday I am fasting as a result of too much of a good thing. However I made my way to the farmers’ market on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis to rouse me out of my stupor.

Cool air and sun made it an ideal day to be there. What did I find? A new fruit  – Very Cherry Plums, which are a deliciously different, small fruit, which is the result cross between, you guessed it…cherries and plums. (Oops, broke my fast.) “The fruit is a delicious natural cross between several varieties of plums and cherries, including Bing and Stella cherries, just to name a few.” ~ Very Cherry Plums

Very Cherry Plums – CKatt (-2017

Since I have been on a Pickling kick, I bought a small amount of pickling cucumbers from a sweet elder Hmong Farmer with the greatest smile. He asked me if I wanted to buy  more and pointed to a bushel basket full. All I could do was smile and say “No thanks. This is enough.”

Dehn’s herbs were in full supply. I bought “chocolate mint“, Italian parsley, and thyme.

I did see some orange squash (Red Kuri?) which is a sure sign that Fall is in the air. Here’s a link to a recipe for squash , which I am going to try: “Red Kuri Squash Brown Butter Puree” Recipe

There was a stall where a Asian couple were selling bushel baskets of egg plants, which immediately called to me to paint a still life. Negotiations were in order for me to buy just a few. Language barrier made negotiations unintelligible to me. The woman looked disgruntled and kept muttering something, then began to pick out some from behind the counter.

Quickly I said, as I watched with concern, to the man who approached me, ” I am a painter, while making painting motions, “I want to paint them.” Repeating  the pantomime and phrase to him. (Thinking to myself, hope he doesn’t think I want to put paint on them.) Luckily the man understood me and relayed the meaning to, I presume, his wife, who, still none too pleased, handed a container to him for me to pick out my own. He laughed in a friendly way. Especially when I choose an itty bitty eggplant, he laughed even harder. The colors are magnifico! I looked them up at know your eggplants. These are  small Kumba Eggplants

Kumba Eggplant Lyndale Farmer’s Market CKatt 2017

I was wandering my way out through the sellers of non – food stuffs and this is my big find for the day. Hand cut 3D cards. Just too fun to pass up. Dragonflies and Cards  a family business of Handmade cards from bamboo and paper. Such imaginative and exquisite cards are unique. I bought one.

Dragonflies And Cards – CKatt 9-2017

Basta! Enough. I have veggies to wash and steam and store…Such a beautiful day at the farmer’s market. Cooking fresh is great fun.

Thanks for stopping by my kitchen!

Enjoy your day wherever you may be.

Lyndale Farmers’ Market – CKatt 9-2017