Local produce markets and the frugally inclined

[Curmudgeoness]

Last edited Sun Aug 12, 2012, 07:00 PM - Edit history (1)

can have a great relationship. My local farmers' market is not always the cheapest place to get fruits and vegetables, but for years now, I have bought the tomatoes and peppers that are overripe or have spots on them for a great price. I get one of those produce boxes full for $5-6. And since I have shared tips with the Amish women who run the stand, they always find a few extras to fill the box fuller. These purchases get me through the whole winter and beyond.

I take the box home and clean and dice the peppers up immediately (since I don't want anything going bad to get worse). Them I put them in freezer storage bags---they don't need need cooked or parboiled, just put in the bags and freeze them. Whenever you would use peppers in cooking, you can use these right from the bag....and at time when peppers are expensive, this is great.

The tomatoes can be washed, dried, and put in freezer bags whole. When you take them out to thaw, the skin will come right off in one piece without effort and you can use the tomatoes in cooking. Flavorful tomatoes to use in cooking in the middle of the winter is a wonderful thing.

And if I knew how to take the lazy way out on other produce, I would also buy other things at this time. I have tried some things that do not work out. Anyone know what to do with potatoes bought in bulk?

On a side note, I also hunt for wild mushrooms that also can be frozen and used whenever they are needed, but that is a little more work---they need parboiled prior to freezing.

Editted to include: I took a trip out into the country today, and the produce stands that I ran into out there were much cheaper than the ones close to town. I got another produce box of tomatoes and a box of green peppers for $5 each (paid $6 for a box of soft tomatoes in town).