One of the things I like about visiting OR during the summer is all the fresh berries and fruit. This year was no exception. We had a bunch of fruit while I was there. On the drive to my parent’s house are several road side fruit stands. We stopped several times to buy some things. We had some strawberries, they were good, but you could definitely tell that strawberry season was ending. The strawberries were good but not pretty. We also had some raspberries, marion berries, boysenberries, and blueberries. We enjoyed them all. My son liked the blueberries so much he asked if we could bring some home with us. 🙂 If I could have figured out a way, I probably would have. 🙂 I now have a new favorite blueberry muffin recipe. I made it at my sisters house with the fresh blueberries and it was really good. I hope to try it soon with frozen blueberries.
My brother in law also went to the Vancover Farmers Market and picked up some things for us. He got some Rainier Cherries. Oh, they were so good. I love fresh cherries and Rainier are the best. He also bought some fresh wild salmon. I love salmon. It is one of my favorite things to eat. This was some of the best salmon I have ever had. It was great. We just grilled it up and it was my favorite meal that I had when I was there. I will say though that it was not cheap, but it was a great thing to have for a treat.
I do miss all the berries and fresh fruit in OR but living in OK does have some advantages. I came home to lots of ripe produce from our garden. Seven ripe cantaloupes and more cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, and peppers then I care to count. Melons, tomatoes, and peppers are not things that grow well in western OR. I guess all places have things that grow well. No place can be perfect.
A couple of years ago we planted some blackberries and blueberries here in OK. I do think I am going to try to plant some more next year. They take some work to survive the heat we have but I think it is worth it.
So is that why red bell peppers are $2 each here? I am totally into red bell peppers right now, so I go to Winco and get em for cheaper, but still. Are they cheaper in OK?
I have not yet gone to the fruit stands, I need to do that some time. I could eat fruit till I pass out, I love fresh fruit. That’s one northwest food I like…I am just not a salmon person.
Catherine, peppers are still expensive here but not $2 each. For the last several years we have grown several different types of peppers. I freeze them to use later. They do change in texture a little but they work great for things like chili and soups. I think it takes heat to grow good peppers. But berries do not like heat. How can you not like salmon. 🙂
Oh! You guys were really close to me! WE went to the Vancouver Farmers Market a few weeks ago. Only 20 minutes from my house.