ONE DISH AT A TIME: FRESH PRODUCE

August has many savory seasonal offerings and one of my very favorites is the delicious eggplant. This is an ingredient that can be cooked in so many different ways and can be incorporated into a variety of dishes of multiple coultures.

The eggplant, aubergine, melongene, brinjal or guinea squash (Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae (also known as the nightshades) and genus [[Solanum]]. It bears a fruit of the same name, commonly used in cooking. As a nightshade, it is closely related to the tomato and potato. It is native to India.

It is a delicate perennial often cultivated as an annual. It grows 40 to 150 cm (16 to 57 in) tall, with large coarsely lobed leaves that are 10 to 20 cm long and 5 to 10 cm broad. Semi-wild types can grow much larger, to 225 cm (7 ft) with large leaves over 30 cm (12 in) long and 15 cm (6 in) broad. The stem is often spiny. The flowers are white to purple, with a five-lobed corolla and yellow stamens. The fruit is fleshy, has a meaty texture, and is less than in diameter on wild plants, but much larger in cultivated forms.

The fruit is botanically classified as a berry and contains numerous small, soft seeds which are edible, but have a bitter taste because they contain nicotinoid alkaloids; this is unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco.

The Eggplant : courtesy of SocialEats

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS AND YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

There is nothing better than having the advantage of the farm coming to you, its a fooddie's dream come true. Being able to create from the season's best not only keeps it fresh, but it also keeps it interesting. You never know what your going to be enticed with, whats going to grab your culinary attention, whats going to complete or revolutionize Wednesday night's dinner!!! In this economy it doesn't hurt to get a great bargain on fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, flowers, herbs, spices, arts, crafts, jewelery, I mean the locals come out with the best they have to offer at an unbeatable price and you also get the privilege of the first and at times the exclusive pick. You can even make it a family event and sample some of the great food that is offered either by local artisans or vendors that typically follow the markets, lets face it every night doesn't have to be a cooking night, right! For example, around the corner in my neck of the woods is the Ocean Beach (OB, San Diego) Market I absolutely love it, you can find all types of international food from East African to Greek to Mexican to Raw/Vegan, I mean those are just a few that come to mind....anyhow, I just go around grab whatever tickles my fancy and nibble from the great international banquet before me.

Here is a peak at what I look forward to weekly....

FRESH VEGETABLES

PLANTS & FLOWERS

HONEY, CURED MEATS, JAMS, OILS, NUTS, BAKED GOODS...

LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS, HOME DECORATIONS,

ONE OF A KING ART PIECES & JEWELERY

YUMMY YUMMY INTERNATIONAL FOOD

I saved the best for last, the amazing llamas that make it all so so happy for both young and old....I know I'm just as excited around them as all the children standing next to me...whatever, I'm the first to admit I'm still a kid at heart!!

OB Market http://www.oceanbeachsandiego.com/OceanBeachFarmersMarket.shtml

Whether you're from New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Denver, Houston, New Orleans, Kansas City, Boise, Madison, Chicago, Boston, anywhere at all; there is a farmer's market right around the corner providing you with fresh products to make your culinary curiosities and aspirations a reality.....

Just follow the links below to find a market near you; chose your sate, find your city and go explore the possibilities and taste the flavors of your local community!

Alabama

http://www.fma.alabama.gov/FMCounty.aspx

Alaska

http://farmersmarketonline.com/fm/Alaska.htm

Arizona

http://www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com/azfmmarkets.htm

Arkansas

http://www.arkansasgrown.org/Pages/browse.aspx?&FF1=Points_x0020_of_x0020_Sale&FV1=Farmers%20Market

California

http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/index.cfm

Colorado

http://www.coloradofarmers.org/find_a_market.htm