Fed Up

I've made a concerted effort not to complain about my new adopted state. While I'm not exactly a party guest here, I did specifically choose it and it has some wonderful qualities. Everyone I've met has been very gracious and accepting and I've been made to feel extraordinarily welcome. As a recent arrival, it just seems rude to complain about any perceived shortcomings. 

But...

I'm a die-hard foodie and I have to say... there are 2 important things I really, really miss – lovely and interesting produce and seafood. I've spent the past year in a state of perpetual disbelief – what I want is here somewhere. I know it is. I just haven't found it yet. I quiz everybody I meet about seafood. But I live in the collard and pork capital of the world now and I'm starting to get a reputation as an eccentric.

A neighbor made a recommendation for seafood, so we got up early this Saturday and for the first time, went to our local farmer's market. 

I could have cried. 

There were no real farmers there. Or produce. 

Huddled in a dreary parking lot was a collection of bleak little booths. Way too many of them were hawking schlocky junk - ceramics, homemade soap, goofy wooden things, things made with yarn, other questionable nonsense. 

The only real produce was peppers. Piles of peppers. 

Just like the ones growing in our backyard.

Oh noooo!

Where's the squash?!?! 

The haricot verts???

Bok choy? Jicama? Thai basil?
Anyone??

How about the cut flowers?!?!? 

Point me to the cheese!!

Olives! Where are the olives???

I demand to see the seafood!!!

There he is. 

In the corner, a young man with a couple coolers and a white board. About 20 different kinds of seafood were listed on the whiteboard. 19 of them were crossed out. Sold. What was left? Flounder... a couple sorry looking filets abandoned in the rapidly melting ice. He told us it was fresh, pulled out of the Something/Something Sound on the coast. 

Fine. I took it.

I got it home and I decided I was going to put lipstick on this pig - this flounder no one else wanted. So I made beer batter fish and chips using this recipe. 

My peevish attitude and I owe Mr. Whiteboard an apology. It was soooo good. It WAS fresh. Delicate, moist and flavorful.  

And just .... delicious. 

Which I will tell him when I see him next time. There will definitely be a next time.