Dark Days: Week One

I know that it's only the first week of a very, very long challenge, but so far it's been relatively easy to obtain local food in my area. It seems that locavores in Kansas City are blessed with a winter farmer's market. I knew we had multiple summer markets, but winter?? It's too awesome to be true. Eggs, beef, lamb, end-of-season vegetables, greenhouse vegetables and more - all from different vendors, all under one roof. I purchased a dozen eggs and a basket of greenhouse tomatoes from a lovely woman with her own bit of land, some beautiful white radishes and arugula from a backyard garden, two small steaks from grass-finished cattle, and a couple heads of cabbage with which I plan to make cole slaw at some point. Everyone was so friendly as the crowd slowly packed its way into the room. I had a wonderful conversation on how to correctly prepare mustard greens. :)

This week, I settled on a local breakfast. I figured it would be a nice way to start my day. I wish I had a camera - I would provide pictures of how I used my bounty. It's broken, though, so you'll have to make due. I know you'll manage somehow. ;) I started by wilting some roughly chopped arugula in butter. As soon as it had turned that vivid Christmas green, I added the eggs, beaten with a bit of milk (also from a local Missouri farm). As they were just starting to firm up, I added bits of tomato. Salt, pepper, and some rooster sauce (none local) topped it all off. With it we had toast slathered with local clover-flavored honey.

As the months progress, I expect that meals will get more and more challenging, especially since I haven't saved anything from the summer. I'm grateful that there will be a local market open through at least part of this challenge, though. I'm glad to have the support system!