. . . the end of abundance at my local farmers markets, that is.  Soon my visits to the markets will be bittersweet . . . as autumn turns to winter and winter drags on . . . sweet because I'll appreciate whatever's there . . . but bitter because there won't be much.  Within a month, the only fruits to be found will be no-longer-crisp apples and the only vegetables will be those that grow snugly underground and, perhaps, some hearty greens . . . and some less hearty greens from indoor growing operations.  Oh, and there'll be beef, chicken, pork, lamb, goat, buffalo and some other meat and poultry year-round.  It's this protein that really makes weekly trips to the market worthwhile in the winter months.


But I'm getting ahead of myself.  Winter's not here yet.  The variety at the markets is definitely shrinking every week, but there's still some beautiful food to be had.  Here's a sampling of what I found this morning at the 14th and U farmers market (which closes for the year Nov. 14), brought into DC from Quaker Valley Orchards in Biglerville, PA; Kuhn Orchards in Cashtown, PA; and Truck Patch Farm in Windsor, MD:

• popcorn
• a great variety of squash
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• more crisp apples than I could shake a stick at

And, finally, I figured I'd throw in this pic of the heirloom tomato salsa that made up part of my lunch today.