Oregon’s Autumnal Bounty
It’s taken me a while to write this post because I’ve been exceptionally busy in the last few days. In part this was because of a last minute trip to Portland, which got me home at 5 am on Tuesday. Despite the unfortunate schedule for the return flight, I had a fabulous time in Portland and ate very well. I will tell you all about it, but first I have an important announcement:
Yesterday (October 23, 2007) was the one-year anniversary of The Mango Lassie. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe that this blog— which has become so much a part of your weekly routine— was ever not in existence. Many of you have been loyal readers from the beginning, and I thank you for your support. The Mango Lassie will continue to grow and change as time passes, but it will only be able to do so with your constant commitment to reading each week’s entry. Please keep reading and eating well, and tell all your friends to do the same.
Now, on to my first great culinary experience during my short jaunt to Portland. On Sunday morning Mango Mama, Daddy Salmon, Flava Flav, Trader Joanna and I went to the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market in Southwest Portland. This is also a great market for Portlanders from other neighborhoods because it’s open on Sundays unlike the rest of the Saturday markets.
As we walked around from booth to booth, shapes and vibrant colors of the fresh fruits and vegetables repeatedly took my breath away. The stunning background of reddening leaves in the distance set off the mountains of mushrooms and squash Wheelbarrows full of red, yellow and green bell peppers were like carts of precious stones put on display. The dazzlingly sunny sky made everything appear all the more bold.
We couldn’t resist some of those peppers. Mango Mama and I also bought a heavenly, rich and tangy sheep’s milk cheese, some pretty little tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, chanterelle mushrooms and some deliciously sweet apples. Many of these items, along with Mango Mama’s excellent homemade pickles, helped form a gourmet lunch when we returned from shopping. It was a spread typical of a meal at our house: crackers, cheese, apples, pickles and a delicious, buttery raspberry shortcake made my one of the artisan bakery booths. Everyone serves themselves from an assortment of bowls and trays.
I tend to think of summer as the high time for fresh, local produce, but my autumnal farmer’s market visit made it clear why harvest festivals come in the fall. The more I contemplate the ability for so much flavorful and gorgeous food to grow even as the days get colder, the more miraculous it seems.
Hillsdale Farmers’ Market
Wilson High-Rieke Elementary Parking Lot
SW Sunset Blvd. and SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR 97239
503.475.6555
Privacy Policy
lady lasagna said,
October 24, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
Happy 1 year Blog-Anniversary! I’ll keep on reading if you keep on writing!
Pear Posse said,
October 24, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
Fall harvest festivals rock! That’s because autumnal foods can hardly be beat. Dinner tonight included beef mixed with beet greens (we ate the beets last night, as well as 70% of the steak) and a miso mix, local lettuces and radish in a green salad, and a pear clafouti made with crimson pears. This cannot be beat. Mango Lassie knows this too: I hope she’s able to continue to write her blog. (Maybe I should be contributing recipes?)
Empanada Boy said,
October 25, 2007 @ 11:03 pm
Empanada Boy…. also celebrating 1 year!
Empanada Boy said,
December 3, 2007 @ 12:42 am
Portland’s farmers markets are impressive indeed. One of these summers I’d like to take ML to the farmer’s market up in Madison on the Capitol Square. I think she may find that one pretty impressive as well.