Fall Colors Aren’t Just In The Trees
Much as we dread the Chicago winter that’s just peaking over the horizon, there’s a lot to be said for Chicago autumn. In fact, it’s the favorite season for a lot of people. I’ve known few people who don’t enjoy a walk in a park or a drive in the country on a crisp day when the leaves are turning colors.
But those aren’t the only fall colors to enjoy, and you can already experience them at the farmers market with the Autumnal Equinox still a week away. Witness the photo above, which I took at the stand of Nichols Farm & Orchard (Marengo, Illinois) at Green City Market during a quick run this morning: The brilliant orange of the early small pumpkins plays well with the bright reds and greens of the late sweet bell peppers.
Across the market is another example of seasons in transition. At the stand of Smits Farm (Chicago Heights, Illinois), the pumpkins and gourds are buddied up with some of the season’s last sweet corn.
Back to Nichols, there already are winter squashes, as varied in colors as in taste and texture.
But time does pass too quickly, especially when the peak season is waning. The stand of Hillside Orchards in Berrien Springs, Michigan was very recently bursting with peaches and plums and grapes and blueberries. Today, it was fall apples as far as the eye could see.
In fact, the only peaches I saw at Green City today were at the stand of Mick Klug Farm (St. Joseph, Michigan). I didn’t know if they were the last I’d see this year, so I grabbed a quart.
As you can see, I went big. Then I went home.