"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Far left: Great-Grandpa Arthur Anderson; Third from left: Great-Grandma Fanny Anderson
Far right: Grandma Lunkin (Adelma) with my mother, Norma, holding the basket

Long before Famers' Markets became popular, the backyard garden was the surest way to fresh produce.  My great-grandparents, who emigrated from Norway with my grandmother, had a large and lush backyard garden. Always well-tended, it was a source of pride and produce.  One story is that my great-grandmother lost her wedding ring while working in it, not to be found.  Some 17 years later, while their daughter, my Aunt Betty, was moving some soil from the garden to a flower bed, she unearthed something that she initially thought was a bottle cap.  She took her finding into my great-grandmother and said, "Mother, guess what I found?", to which Fanny replied, "My wedding ring!"  Love that story!

For many of us, myself included, our vegetable gardens have gone by the wayside, though I do seem to think that they are finding their way back into popular culture.  In any case, how nice that we now seem to have an abundance of farmers' markets to choose from.

Saveur Magazine, one of my favorites, has recently shared a farm-fresh menu using the vegetables that are currently available at most markets.

There is Zucchine Ripiene (Stuffed Zucchini)

Photo Credit: Todd Coleman for Saveur

Corn Chowder

Photo credit: James Roper for Saveur

Tomato-Cheddar Tart

Photo credit: James Roper for Saveur

Then Pesto-Rubbed Chicken with Panzenella

Photo Credit: Todd Coleman for Saveur

And lastly, Plum Tart

Photo Credit: Todd Coleman for Saveur

I would have to say that I am inclined to try the corn chowder first.  How about you?  As an aside, a couple of years ago I ran across the video clip below on just how do you pronounce "Saveur"? It seems that even the magazine's employees are not sure!  As a reminder, if a video clip does not come through via e-mail, please go directly to my blog site.