This is what summer looked like

There’s something about wandering around the farmer’s market in late August — you start to realize that the season will soon be over, and Fall is hurrying up behind it.

So I got all inspired to take a few photos to represent major themes of my summer:

Soda and Bitters: Ah, the best beverage ever. My friend Laura turned me onto this back in April, and now I’m up to consuming about four a day.

Bitters is interesting stuff – it’s an infusion of bark, roots, and citrus. You see it in lots of cocktail recipes, but it was originally used to settle the stomach.

When the weather’s warm, drinking sweet things makes me a little sick. So the bitters and soda has just the right bracing, refreshing quality. And, no caffeine. (Bitters is admittedly high in alcohol, but the few drops needed for this drink make for no effect at all.)

You can also, if you’re not a fan of non-sweet things, go with half cranberry juice, half sparkling water, and a dash of bitters. Yummy. And, most things taste better in some kind of tiki mug.

Homemade Muffins: As soon as the berries started appearing at the farmer’s market, I started baking batch after batch of muffins. We’ve had blueberry, and peach, and raspberry, and (this morning) blackberry — and sometimes, combinations therein.

I love the basic muffin recipe from Moosewood. You can make it almost sugar-free, and rely on the fruit for sweet.

K and I shamelessly devour them within a couple days. Before long, it’ll be time to switch to apple muffins, and pumpkin.

And, Tomatoes: This summer saw Chapter Two in my quest to grow tomatoes on the back patio in a container. Last year, I fed them mostly nitrogen, which resulted in muscular green jungle plants that couldn’t bear fruit. This year, I got the feeding right, and switched to cherry tomato plants, with better success.

Of course, my parents, who are scary genius gardeners, promptly kicked my tomato butt — and this after their first planting was nearly destroyed by an accidental spraying with herbicide. This is a small sampling of their bounty. Luckily, they like to share. We’re planning a nice, tomato-laden feast for Labor Day.

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Amy Palko

August 26, 2007 at 2:14 pm · Reply

Farmer’s markets are such inspiring places, aren’t they? I just wrote a post about the weekly market in Edinburgh just before I read your post! It’s hard to believe that summer’s almost over though. In the UK we haven’t seen much in the way of sunshine, but I’m hoping for a glorious autumn. Enjoy those tomatoes; they look absolutely wonderful!

August 26, 2007 at 7:14 am · Reply

Jeannine

August 26, 2007 at 9:10 pm · Reply

I am not a fan of super-sweet drinks during the summer, either. I was so intrigued by the bitters and soda thing that I bought some bitters this afternoon. Just waiting for the soda to chill and then I’m going to give it a try.

Thanks for sharing. :)

August 26, 2007 at 2:10 pm · Reply

ilun

September 4, 2007 at 5:13 pm · Reply

I think I’ve seen those bottles of bitters at my local supermarket (the ones I saw were from Trinidad). I’ve always wondered how they’re consumed. Which sodas would you recommend pairing the bitters with (sweetened or unsweetened)? I’d greatly appreciate your suggestions. thanks! btw- you’ve put up a really great site- i learn something new everytime I listen to your podcasts :)

September 4, 2007 at 10:13 am · Reply