Local Produce and the Hazy Days of Winter

Last week I spent an obscene amount of money on fruit.  Too many gray days in a row had me on edge, so I bought  a bounty of nature's Prozak: watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, apples, a pineapple and a cantaloupe, and cut it up into my big yellow bowl--it just looked so happy!

I try to buy local produce, but there’s not much to get thrilled about in February, so I’m doing my best to perk up what we have.   My latest veggie favorite is  Carrots with Lime Syrup.  I’ve stopped using the short cut carrots because they just don’t taste as good as the ones you peel yourself.  Also tasty are Jalapeno Lime Green Beans, which you can kick up or down as your taste dictates. And last but not least,  Bell Peppers with Kalamata Olives – sounds weird, tastes great.  I have made a meal out of these 3 recipes.  The bright colors and taste beat away the grayness of winter.