You know what it’s like. That first sighting of new bounty at the market. In spring it’s peas, tomatoes, fava beans and strawberries. In summer it’s fresh garlic, corn, figs, cherries and jammy sweet blackberries, mulberries and raspberries and of course the stonefruit. Summer wouldn’t be complete without peaches, apricots, nectarines and plums and in the fall and winter you know it’s all about pears, apples, pumpkins, butternut squash, persimmons and pomegranates lining the stalls at the farmer’s market.
At first sight, it’s really tempting to dive right in but before you do, ask the farmer if their bounty is the first pick of the season. If so, definitely taste before you buy. With few exceptions to the rule, the first pick usually means that flavor has not yet developed but that’s okay. Just give it another week or two and then you will experience that true taste of the season. xo