As a reporter for the Nelson Star I spend many Monday evenings in city council chambers.
I rarely have moments of culinary inspiration while hearing about bylaws, development, policies and plans but a few weeks ago I found myself getting inspired to cook… or at least longing to cook.
The Wednesday and Saturday markets put on by the West Kootenay EcoSociety are a fixture in Nelson.
Farmers Markets are like an art supply store for me.
The stacks of fresh greens like spinach, lettuces, arugulas, then there are tomatoes, and delicious berries.
There I was sitting in council longing for the opening days of the market where I could go to collect a selection of local produce and products to create an abundance of meals.
I feel in love with the sights and sounds of farmers markets growing up on the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island.
I have to admit until I moved to Vancouver after university I had never eaten an egg purchased at a grocery store.
My mom always bought eggs from our neighbours who kept chickens in their yards.
While living in Vancouver my passion for food was at its height. I was buying food on Saturday mornings to make big brunches for my roommates.
Even though the snow is still on the ground, my taste buds are tingling in anticipation for spring and summer and the harvests that come with those season.