I have a favorite guy at the farmer’s market. He’s probably a bit older than my dad. His hair is white and his skin sun-kissed. His eyes are a soft trustworthy blue with well worn lines around them which tells me he smiles a lot. But most importantly, he has dirt under his fingernails. If his eyes weren’t already trustworthy enough.
He always wins my dollar bills. And last week he won my heart. He asked me Hallie’s name. Then bent down to eye level while bagging up my pea tendrils and began talking with her. “Hallie, did you know that healthy things grow?” He went on to talk about how much he loves coming to these markets week in and week out and watching the little ones grow. I hated breaking it to him that we’d only see him a couple more weeks. We’ll have a find a new favorite farmer in Minneapolis.
We usually take a victory lap through the park across the street afterwards, sometimes with a croissant in hand and sometimes without. This week without because we found a new homemade donut vendor. Recounting our conversation with my favorite farmer, Kev reminded me of his favorite quote:
Healthy things grow, and growing things change.
Life is about to change once again at lightening speed. I’m not even counting the weeks we have left in this little abode tucked away in the northeastern part of the country. Instead I’m making springtime pesto with the pea tendrils per my favorite farmer’s recommendation, smothered on pizza, eaten directly off the peel, out on the back patio. The weather is perfect right now. I’ll work on growing tomorrow. Because today I want things to stay just as they are.
If you’re new to pea tendrils like me, they taste a whole lot like peas. You can pick them up at the farmer’s market this time of year (spring). My favorite farmer, who I purchased these from, recommended making pesto of it. So I did. It was too good not to share.
Ingredients
Scale
2 c. pea tendrils
1/4 c. parmesan
1/4 c. pine nuts
1/4 c. olive oil
1 garlic clove
salt and pepper, freshly cracked
Instructions
Into a food processor or high-powered blender, add all ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.
Process until smooth, 30 seconds to a minute.
Store in an airtight container in fridge for up to a week. Top off with a bit more oil to help deter browning of pesto.
Speaking of the farmer’s market—how often do you encounter a new ingredient and wonder what to do with it? That was me this week with the pea tendrils. Thankfully, my favorite farmer always pulls through on recipe recommendations. But when you’re stuck, which is probably more often than not, you can now turn to Huckle & Goose. They are a new kind of meal planning service to help you cook delicious, seasonal food. Fingers crossed, it’s going to be ready next week. I’ll be contributing seasonal, farmer’s market friendly recipes. Stay tuned!
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Pesto is one of my favourite spreads, dips, sauces, creams…you name the possibilities. That farmer sounds so kind-spirited and the quote is so appropriate.
Oh, that pesto looks amazing! Thank you for sharing….I always buy pea tendrils when they’re in season, but I’m usually too impatient to do anything but devour them immediately in salads! I love their delicate flavor. Now I need to try this pesto recipe. A good excuse to make pizza! 🙂
Congratulations on your move and upcoming adventures, can’t wait to see what Minneapolis has in store!
Congratulations on the Huckle and Goose collaboration, it sounds exciting and you will be great! I know what you mean about moving and losing your favorite food connections but you’ll have new experiences and make new friends and cherish the old ones.
Hands down. This is the sweetest post you’ve written. You nailed it. Love the quote. Love the thought of your little family growing up, growing into a new town, a new job, a new abode. Love the picture I now have in my mind of your favorite farmer. Love you. Miss you and our shared lunches, too. Come see us any time you can and please let us know where you land 🙂 e.
Looks delicious! We eat a lot of pea tendrils here in Yunnan, China. But I’ve never thought of using them for pesto. Will have to track down some parmesan!
It sounds like it’s a real bittersweet time for you guys at the moment. I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts and hoping that the move goes smoothly and you soon get settled into your new home (and find a new homemade donut maker because I know I’d find it difficult to leave that ;))
Moving is always a little bit sad and bittersweet. I totally feel your pain. However, Minneapolis is a wonderful, wonderful city especially in the summertime: lakes, biking, patios, and farmer’s markets galore!
a. I love Kev’s quote. So true. b. I love your farmer man. And you’re right, a farmer without dirt under his nails is no farmer at all. c. I love your recipes because they always rock. Just like you.
Congrats on the gig with Huckle & Goose! Sounds like a perfect match! Great story about the market and your go-to farmer…I love that with all the coming change you are taking time for quiet moments on the patio. Enjoy! And glad you didn’t get locked out. 😉
Healthy things grown and growing things change – such a beautiful thing to say. And so true. Moving house with a little one sounds like a logistical nightmare, but it will be worth it in the end. So many new and exciting things waiting for you… Love this recipe, by the way – I adore pesto and love that you’ve made it with pea tendrils. 🙂
I love this post, Melissa! Those kind farmers get me every time and how sweet was what he said to little Hallie?! Sigh. This pesto sounds delicious and we eat pizza right off the peel, too 🙂 Congrats on your new gig! Their website is so pretty.
Pesto is one of my favourite spreads, dips, sauces, creams…you name the possibilities. That farmer sounds so kind-spirited and the quote is so appropriate.
Oh, that pesto looks amazing! Thank you for sharing….I always buy pea tendrils when they’re in season, but I’m usually too impatient to do anything but devour them immediately in salads! I love their delicate flavor. Now I need to try this pesto recipe. A good excuse to make pizza! 🙂
Congratulations on your move and upcoming adventures, can’t wait to see what Minneapolis has in store!
That farmer sounds quite wise. And this pesto sounds quite delicious!
Congratulations on the Huckle and Goose collaboration, it sounds exciting and you will be great! I know what you mean about moving and losing your favorite food connections but you’ll have new experiences and make new friends and cherish the old ones.
Hands down. This is the sweetest post you’ve written. You nailed it. Love the quote. Love the thought of your little family growing up, growing into a new town, a new job, a new abode. Love the picture I now have in my mind of your favorite farmer. Love you. Miss you and our shared lunches, too. Come see us any time you can and please let us know where you land 🙂 e.
This gave me chills. From the farmer talking to Hallie to Kev’s perfect quote. You guys! Growing things change! Sweetest, hardest thing to accept!
i am totally obsessed with this photos! and a donut vendor!!! lucky find 🙂
LOVE this pesto. WE have so many herbs bursting in our garden right now. Serving chemichurri sauce with dinner tonight at a party 🙂
Looks delicious! We eat a lot of pea tendrils here in Yunnan, China. But I’ve never thought of using them for pesto. Will have to track down some parmesan!
It sounds like it’s a real bittersweet time for you guys at the moment. I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts and hoping that the move goes smoothly and you soon get settled into your new home (and find a new homemade donut maker because I know I’d find it difficult to leave that ;))
Wonderful overhead shots of the food processor. Such a cool way of seeing….love it.
LOVE pesto and this looks amazing. That phrase, healthy things grow, I think I will use that of he doesn’t mind. So true!
What a beautiful quote and a lovely pizza to match.
Such a summery recipe! Pinned!
Where there are farmers, there is love. And for that I am grateful.
Moving is always a little bit sad and bittersweet. I totally feel your pain. However, Minneapolis is a wonderful, wonderful city especially in the summertime: lakes, biking, patios, and farmer’s markets galore!
a. I love Kev’s quote. So true.
b. I love your farmer man. And you’re right, a farmer without dirt under his nails is no farmer at all.
c. I love your recipes because they always rock. Just like you.
Congrats on the gig with Huckle & Goose! Sounds like a perfect match! Great story about the market and your go-to farmer…I love that with all the coming change you are taking time for quiet moments on the patio. Enjoy! And glad you didn’t get locked out. 😉
I LOVE this story about the farmer at the market, also, this pesto is gorgeous!
Healthy things grown and growing things change – such a beautiful thing to say. And so true.
Moving house with a little one sounds like a logistical nightmare, but it will be worth it in the end. So many new and exciting things waiting for you…
Love this recipe, by the way – I adore pesto and love that you’ve made it with pea tendrils. 🙂
I love this post, Melissa! Those kind farmers get me every time and how sweet was what he said to little Hallie?! Sigh. This pesto sounds delicious and we eat pizza right off the peel, too 🙂 Congrats on your new gig! Their website is so pretty.