Every other Saturday I make the trek to a close by town to harvest baskets of vegetables and fruit at my food coop. I put in my order on Monday, but it’s never guaranteed what will be there.

We follow the seasons: winter saw a lot of broccoli and winter squash; now I am seeing fresh sweet corn. The size varies: One time I got a ten pound butternut squash; this week the mangos are small and the zucchini enormous–just like you’d find in a regular garden.

You bring your own container, and pick up a basket of vegetables and a basket of fruit:

This week there was watermelon, Asian pears, bananas and mangoes; fresh sweet corn, asparagus, purple potatoes, endive, orange peppers, onions, garlic, mushrooms:

When I bring them home, Foxy has to sample. Who says cats aren’t vegetarian!

My challenge is to cook them all. Salad, of course. Vegetable broth for the leftovers. They sent along herbs as well this week: fresh basil, oregano, rosemary. My refrigerator is so fragrant.

Now the research and fun starts. Artichoke and endive? Egg plant? I’ve got some busy times ahead of me this weekend.