Localized coolers

Being a CSA shareholder or avid farmers market and farmstand fan rules, especially when you can proudly say that you know where every ingredient in your meal comes from. To that I say, right on! The challenge lies in continuing local munchies on those weekends and summer days off when we're going places, seeing things, and just doing a lot of activities that probably don't involve roasting beets for 45-50 minutes, or until piercable by a fork.

For me, I looked at the giant bag of veggies in my fridge with a pang of guilt and a gnawing pressure before I left for a Massachusetts road trip on Friday. I couldn't leave them, both because they take up a lot of precious fridge space, and because they would probably be wilted in their own tears when I came back. Keeping in mind that I had about eight pounds of greens to go through before Tuesday, I headed down to Mass with a cooler of garlic scapes, kale, lettuce, spring mix, and strawberries. With just a bottle of balsamic vinaigrette, a plate, and a fork, I was set for a weekend of CSA enjoyment. It wasn't until Sunday, when all of the ice had melted, that I had to get rid of just the remnants of soggy spring mix; everything else made it.


That said, it's not always feasible or worth it to lug a cooler of vegetables across New York, and not everyone enjoys produce like kale and spinach in their rawest of states. Luckily for those in the northeast, this time of year is prime for roadside farmstands and city/town farmers market that offer all sorts of goodies. New York is fertile with small farmers selling their produce, and it's absolutely guaranteed that you'll come across at least two offerings of fruits and veggies on your road trip. Bring wads of cash and your own bags, and you'll be all set. If you download cool smartphone apps (search Locavore/farm/food), you'll find yourself set with everything you need to support farmers across the state.

Oh yeah, and I was that guy who brought her/his own garlic scapes into a diner, just to add flavor. The things are really good, you know! Our neighboring table noticed. (In a good way. He thought I was cool, and talked about how much he loved fried garlic scapes, but said that one time his wife made garlic scape pesto that was too strong for him. I understood.) But like, they were a necessary addition. I've never had a less flavorful egg sandwich in my life.

Moral of the story: If you buy local F&V, don't abandon them, and don't be afraid to stop for local goods. Tis the season!