For the Love of Farmer's Markets

I love farmer's markets! There's just nothing quite like spending a weekend morning walking around a market and drinking in the beauty and functionality of fresh, local foods. I'm really excited to get back into the routine of going this Spring when the markets open back up here in a few weeks. 

I'm also excited to host today's guest post (with a delicious recipe!) from Jennifer of True Confessions of a Real Mommy. Jennifer is a fellow blogger and mom to three precious little ones. Read to the bottom to learn more about today's lovely guest writer.

Who doesn't love the farmer's market? So many things to see, smell, taste, hear, touch. Yes, every sense can benefit from a trip to the farmer's market. Even your sense of adventure and well-being can be boosted! Especially when you have to worry about every little thing in your food. In our home we have to avoid gluten and soy. Two tricky ingredients that seem to hid out in any packaged food your might come across. So, picking fresh items is always the easiest choice. Besides, our family is lucky to live in the pacific northwest, an area with very diverse food options available (at the right time of year!). Every area has it's own environment and food options, I encourage you to seek them out!

The easiest way to do this is to find out which stands that are actually run by the families that sell the product. When the baker can tell me every ingredient that went into that cookie. The beekeeper can describe the plants his bees frequent. The butcher can tell me the temperament of his animals. Why is this important? I don't need to know these things to gain nourishment from these items. I like to know because it reinserts me into the food cycle. Just because I am not able to cultivate enough food to feed our family (I am happy with growing our own pumpkins) does not mean I am not responsible for how they get to my table. Sourcing foods grown locally, sustainably, and organically creates the market for those items. Thus, making it easier in the future to have better access to them!

Rarely do we go to the market with specific items in mind. (Well, the adults don't. My kids know exactly what items they would like to keep an eye out for.) We love to just wander and see what is new, fresh, and exciting. On this particular overcast Sunday, it was the shellfish that caught our eyes. Plump shrimp, buttery looking scallops, and some solid looking clams. When paired with local wine and served over gluten free pasta, you start to wonder why you would ever look farther than your own "backyard" for amazing food.

2 Tbsp unsalted butter or substitute (coconut oil is good!)

2 Tbsp shallot

2 stems scallions

1 Tbsp garlic

2 bay leaves

Salt and Pepper to taste

about ½lb scallops

1oz lemon juice

1-2 cups white wine (We used a 2008 Silverlake Sauvignon Blanc)

1lb clams

1lb shrimp (precooked, I hate overcooked shrimp)

Using Medium High heat, melt butter/substitute in pan. Add shallots, green onions, garlic, and bay leaves. Sweat until translucent. Salt and Pepper scallops, add to pan; brown tops and bottoms. Deglaze pan with lemon juice, reduce to half. Add wine (don't cover seafood) and bring to boil. Add clams. When shells open, add shrimp. Salt and pepper to taste. If sauce is a little too acidic to your tastes, you can smooth it out by adding a little more butter, until you like it! Serve on bed of pasta. 

Awesome, right? You should see what my kids picked out and was turned into desert. Just a hint: peaches, blueberries, and raspberries...

About today's guest writer, Jennifer:

Jennifer is an HBAC-ing, geek-loving foodie, with aspirations of athleticism. Mom to two boys 23 months apart and a new baby girl, Jennifer is a strong advocate of natural parenting and treating children with respect and kindness. Between Zumba and training for the Warrior Dash, being a connected parent and wife and the sort of friend others can always count on for a drink when needed, Jennifer co-authors one blog with her oldest boy, Little View of a Big World and writes her own, True Confessions of a Real Mommy. 

Today's post was edited from a previous version originally published at True Confessions of a Real Mommy.