It’s always a delight to receive a surprise package, and this week a friend gifted me with a special treat. Produce people! Aren’t they wonderful?! They make me laugh every time I look at them.
I have a thing for anthropomorphic fruits and veggies. I have a collection of vintage salt and pepper shakers, and I love the old seed packages and labels like these.
Did you know beets have a reputation as brain food? Although I had some just the other day, I think I must need to up my intake, because today I forgot to participate in The Meal 2013 project sponsored by Art House Co-op. The purpose of this 2nd annual event was to raise awareness about world hunger and to participate in a community experience by sharing a picture of yourself eating a snack at 12:00 noon EST.
Since February also happens to be Potato Lovers month, I had some sweet potatoes roasting and was going to snap a shot. But somehow I got sidetracked with shoveling snow and when I came in all frosty cold and hungry, I didn’t remember to take a photo before I sat down for my spud snack. Sigh.
But since I’m talking about food, now seems the perfect time to mention book I’ve been enjoying: The Mystic Cookbook – The Secret Alchemy of Food by Denise and Meadow Linn.
It’s a fun eclectic collection of interesting but simple recipes, stories, photos, and inspirations on inviting a more spiritual awareness into your culinary adventures. There are probably only about 50 recipes in the almost 300-page book, so you have a sense of how much more is going on in the book than a recipe-only kind of cookbook. I’m giving it a thumbs up. But that thumb isn’t to be confused with Little Jack Horner’s plum-plucking thumb, because as is the way with most nursery rhymes, that doesn’t actually have anything to do with food. You can check out the tale behind Jack here if you’d like.
I have one final food-related bit to share. I discovered a wonder quote today:
“Knowledge is knowing the tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting in your fruit salad.” ~Miles Kington
So tell me do you have a favorite produce tale? A well-loved recipe or cookbook? In love with a particular fruit or veggie? Spill the beans, I’d love to hear.
What a fun post!
So many fun and interesting tid bits…makes me hungry for more. I did not realize Beets were brain food. But every time I think of beets I think of Tom Robbins, “Skinny Legs And All” a wonderful book that spins a tale about this ruby red tuber.
But to answer your question, I do have a favorite cookbook: Williams Sonoma Farmers Market Cookbook. I have made many of the recipes… and each one is NUMMY NUMMY!
Thanks for stopping by Nea. I haven’t read Skinny Legs but I’ll be sure to add it to my list. And thanks for the hedz up about the WS Farmers Market cookbook – sounds like a winner. I might just be winter-weary but the thought of summer’s farmers markets seem like much-anticipated, but light-years-away treat.
Made me hungry too! I live near a great farmers market – with alot of produce that is not familiar to me. Luckily they have a cafeteria in there, and I like to stop by and try something I’ve never heard of before. I listened to the NPR story – that was fascinating! I love those little tidbits I learn on NPR – so thanks for posting that – I had not heard it before
Oh what a brilliant idea to have a farmers market and cafeteria connection! Now you’re making ME hungry. 😉
Love the illustrations on the seed packets! You have such interesting facts here too, thanks for sharing.
I do so love those vintage illustrations – I find them so clever and amusing. And I’m sure they were great for sales – who wouldn’t want to grow such stylish veggies?!
Ha! Deborah, your produce people triggered a memory I’ve not thought of in 50 years!! There was a lady in our church who was in charge of the floral arrangements in front of the pulpit. Except…she rarely used flowers. She created little scenes with produce. My favorite were the squash characters. Of course, I remember very little about the pastor’s sermons because I was so fascinated with the scenes!!
Thank you for the blast from my past!!
LOL – I love that Ruth!