Cherchez la “Farm”
March 30, 2008 5:26 pmYesterday, Kevin and I took a walk around the montagnette where we live – it was a magnificent warm sunny Spring day – and we noticed lots of people with plastic bags, their bodies hunched over, their eyes glued to the ground. What were they looking for this time? We had seen this same behavior several months ago, and discovered they were scouring for wild mushrooms. That season is long past, so now it had to be something else. As we approached a couple with yet another plastic bag, we said, “Bonjour, messieur-dame” (which is what you say as you pass a couple), and I found my curiosity peaked enough to ask, “Qu’est-ce que vous cherchez, s’il vous plait?” The reply, “Des asperges. Mais c’est le fin de la saison.” Wild asparagus! And in our own backyard, so to speak. But I think the gratuitous bit of added wisdom was to try to put us off hunting for our own supply. Nice try …
The idea of harvesting wild-growing food rekindled something primitive in our DNA. At first, we casually looked down as we walked along, then Kevin spotted one of the little beauties. From that moment forward, the hunt was on in earnest. We gradually figured out that the stalks mostly popped out of the earth under pine or oak trees, and then we came to recognize the old familiar look of asparagus ferns. Most of the stalks had been pinched by previous hunters, but we managed to gather up quite a few. Definitely enough to sautee in olive oil, then to fill the omelets I made for dinner last night.
On our walk today we couldn’t resist looking for more, especially as we saw lots more people with their plastic bags filling up. We are, after all, expert hunter-gatherers now, and we managed to score again. Tonight I am going to make an asparagus frittata, using the eggs we bought yesterday from our neighbor, Anna. She is 83 years old, Italian but has been living here for over 50 years, and grows the most fantastic fruits and vegetables herself. She also has 24 chickens. The dozen eggs we bought yesterday were laid yesterday. Talk about free range!
But that’s another story …
Ruth
2 Responses to “Cherchez la “Farm””
Oh, how marvelous! I just LOVE asparagus. I tried growing it, as I have never heard of it or seen it wild around here, but unfortunately, not enough water, so I lost my small starter patch. Maybe when my water system is a little more reliable, I can try again.
And eggs from neighbors are so much better, and fresher than one gets in the market, even a farmer’s market, which is still better than a supermarket! I am lucky to have neighbors with chickens. I won’t get my own chickens because of the noisy rooster, but I sure am glad others can stand the noise! They are also good to eat the pesky insects in your garden, too, Ruthie, if you ever have a garden again.
Oh, I recognize that background — the gorgeous view out your dining room window. Still there, for a while yet, I hope.
BTW, the mushrooms season might not be long past, if you get one more good rain. Three days after the rains, look under the oaks. We have chantrelles, and that is how we hunt them here.
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