It's Time to Get Fresh!

As the newest member of the Maven's let me just begin by saying it is a privilege to be joining such great group of women! What to cook is the age-old dilemma, and it is great to have fresh ideas and unique perspectives each day.

And now, drumroll please.........It's time to get Fresh!

Here's the assignment: Go to the farmer's market. Take a good look around. That's right, it's locally grown, freshly picked fruits and vegetables! This food has not been in a box for 2 weeks or traveled 2000 miles. Someone may have plucked it from the ground or off a tree as the sun came up this morning.

This is the perfect time to visit the farmer's market. There are so many delicious things in season right now, and it all tastes amazing!! I personally love supporting local businesses and growers, and if you think you can't find great deals, you're mistaken. Who can argue with giant slicing tomatoes for $1 a pound? The farmer's market can also bring out the inner photographer. Here's my favorite picture I snapped from the North Carolina State Farmer's Market in Raleigh:

One fruit that is a true "must" when it comes to buying locally, is peaches. The flavor of freshly picked peaches just can't be beat! A bowl full of fresh peach slices in a pool of cold milk with a dusting of sugar is my favorite summer midnight snack. Prime picking time for peaches may vary a bit from place to place but right now is the time for people like me in North Carolina. I can't get enough! What should you do with all the peaches you buy after you go crazy at the farmer's market? Jam, delicious peach jam. It is super easy, and you don't even have to bottle it if you don't have canning supplies.

All you need is:

*a few plastic containers with tightly sealing lids

*peaches peeled and chopped fresh or cooked and mashed

*sugar

*lemon juice (a little squirt so your peaches don't go brown)

*box of pectin (preferably the no sugar needed type, even if you do add sugar it is deemed to be the easiest to work with. There are also no-cook pectins out there and then you don't even have to boil anything!)

Follow the directions in your box of pectin for mixing your jam. Fill your containers, and cool if needed. Pop the extra containers in the freezer. Enjoy your fresh jam on toast or pancakes!! Your open container should be good in the fridge for about 3 weeks.