catching up on the weekend

Richmond hit record high temperatures this weekend, and at least one of my market finds was among the casualties of the heat. Strawberries at the end of their growing cycles just can't handle any length of time in the ninety-plus degree heat my berries were subjected to. By the time I got them into the refrigerator, the majority of the quart had begun to rot. Thankfully, they were the only casualties. The rest of the market finds included:

• pac choi
  
• arugula
  
• summer squash
  
• small cucumbers — very spicy!
  
• baby carrots — tender and flavorful, a revelation in such a common item; the grower who produced these also grew some remarkable micro-greens
  
• basil
  
• green garlic — lent an unusual spice to a batch of pesto
  
• eggs
  
• goat cheese
  
• sirloin tip steak
  
• flowers — to make up for the bouquet I neglected to get Banana a week ago at her dance recital