Ramps and Morels

Does this sound decadent or five-star or something? Because it just sounds farmers' market to me.

I went with friends to the Portland Farmers' Market on Saturday. I got three things. (Five if you count each type of mushroom as its own item.) And three basils and a nicotiana start. I still need one more basil, though. I'm a basil freak.

Anyhow, I got ramps, rhubarb, and three kinds of mushrooms (shitake, maiatake, and morels.) For breakfast yesterday I sauteed up some of the sliced ramps and morels in butter and olive oil and served it over scrambled eggs. It was unbelievably good. I absolutely must make that again while ramps are still in season. Too bad it's such a short season, but perhaps shallots would be a good substitute.

I love getting unusual mushrooms at the farmers' market but the selection wasn't all that fantastic. I'm holding out hope for the Interstate Farmers Market on my way home on Wednesday. And I might give the Hillsboro Tuesday Market a try next week if I'm up to the commute.

And for those who read it here rather than Live Journal, I will tell the sad tale of how I had to choose between buying gas or paying for my car. I chose gas. The credit union objected. I now have to pay for neither. In about 6 to 8 months I'll start looking for a car that'll take me to the park and ride, but that's the last time I'll be driving 24 miles each way for work. I'll get up ungodly early and knit on the bus and Max. I'd been feeling kind of carbon-footprint-guilty, anyway, and this just forced it for me. I'm calling it a Good Thing for the time being.