I’m on “vacation” in Washington and I’m surrounded by farms.
Some may fail to see the positive side in this situation (ok, the constant smell of cattle manure isn’t exactly the town’s selling point), but in my opinion things don’t get much better (read: fresher than fresh produce).
It seems like everyone in town has their favorite source for fresh produce. Some like Barbie’s Berries. Some like The Green Barn. But (as per my future in-laws) Boxx Farms is simply “the best.”
Naturally, I had to see the best for myself; so the other day, Kyle, his grandma and I took a trip to Boxx Farms.
Their produce is fresh-off-the-vine-ripe.
Berry central – complete with jam making instructions (add that on to the to-do list).
Of course, they make their own preserves too.
In combinations and varieties aplenty.
And don’t even get me started on the veggies…
It’s a produce whore’s hippie’s paradise! If you want my opinion, being around this much produce can get a bit intoxicating.
It leads to serious salad making.
But I digress…
They display the harvest dates for customers in the store and online.
Looks like cukes, corn, and pumpkins are on the horizon. I’ll pass on the dill.
Marinades, dressings, sauces, and more.
You think I’d skip the most important part of my diet did you?
And this is just the market store! They have U-Pick too, but you have to strike while the iron’s hot…they are already done for the 2010 season!! Competition breeds excellence.
The following night we used some of our new purchases when Kyle’s grandma had us all over for dinner.
On the menu for me was steamed swiss chard, corn, sliced beets, and a big salad.
I added a touch of apple cider vinegar to the steamed chard and it was perfect. In fact, it tasted like artichoke hearts. Have you ever had chard (red, swiss, rainbow)? How do you prepare it?
Fresh beets! Love it. And the best part about having someone else prepare them for you is your hands don’t end up dyed red for the next week. :D Kyle and his mom steered clear of the beets, but me and his grandma were all over them.
The salad had romaine, cauliflower, tomatoes, avocado, and celery…plus the beets and cucumbers I added.
The beets were so dang good I had even more a la mode.
It was all so fresh, and yet the word “fresh” doesn’t seem like it does the food justice, but that’s the only way I can think to describe it. The corn was practically bursting with crispy flavor at each and every bite.
Boxx Farms you have a believer in me.
You’re right, I can’t think of a word other than “fresh.” I mean, look at those apples :O And those veggies–SO GREEN! (Well, the ones that are supposed to be green anyway.) Buying produce straight from the farm is seriously the next best thing to picking them yourself or growing them in your own garden.
Wow, all that produce looks amazing! Loving the salads x We’re going to Washington in August so if you can recommend any good vegan-friendly restaurants that’d be great 🙂
I’m going on holiday to Washington next week and I love seeing all your pics! The produce looks so goood! And swiss chard is one of my faves. I usually just steam it, chop it up in stirfrys or use it as a wrap 🙂
WOW!!! Look at all of that fresh food!!! Usually when I’m on vacation I eat complete CRAP! Guess you won’t be doing that 😉
Have a great rest of your time! XOXOXOX
Lauren
Oh my gosh. If i could switch places with you right now, i would give up my left arm… Why left you ask? Because i would need my right to shovel all of that produce into my head… Worth it? Probably… I love beets more than any other root veggie. They are so crisp and sweet especially when you steam em’ which it looks like you and Kyle’s G’ma did! And now your in Seattle according to your tweet, right? You rock at life right now… I hope you find the ULTIMATE nursing position in Santa Monica and find Real Food Daily once you move… It is honestly one of the best restaurants i have ever eaten at, and that is saying something! So fresh, and i even sat between Jane Velez Mitchell and Elizabeth Berkley the last night i went there and chatted for a solid hour without figuring out who she was until i asked at the end, “Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Jesse from Saved By The Bell?” She assured me that she looks EXACTLY like her… 😉
WOW. I am truly jealous of that experience. Is it weird that my mouth was watering at all that beautiful produce?
Kyle’s grandma is so cute!!
I eat chard a lot. I usually just steam it, and sometimes squeeze lemon juice over it. It’s so perfect with mashed potatoes.
Fresh produce up the wazoo! I love all the farm stands in other places in the country. You don’t really see that in Tucson, AZ or NYC for that matter.
Chard.. I’d simply saute it with olive oil and garlic or onions. Or some people blanch it in boiling water and bake it with cheese. But you don’t eat cheese. 🙂
hmmm…never had chard before. But then again, I never had kale until your blog, so when you’re finally here, we’ll have to have a taste. =)