ChicagoCulinarian

These are the happiest of times, and the saddest of times. The market is still overflowing with the bounty of the Midwestern late summer harvest – bell peppers, hot peppers, some tomatoes, some squash, some cucumber. The occasional melon.

But a slowdown is upon us. Time to preserve, make sauce, make salsa, can. At the same time, it’s exciting to see the first of the spotted gourds and pumpkins, the wild chanterelles, and bushels of honey crisp apples. My current farmer’s market pick? Seedless grapes in green, tart green, purple and red varieties from Mick Klug Farms in Michigan. So juicy, it’s like drinking your lunch.

September. It’s not summer, nor is it fall. There’s a comforting breeze enough for a light sweater, not yet crisp enough for the coat. It’s September in Chicago and I love it.