We got a late start to the Farmer's Market but it ended up being a good thing. We've been meaning to check out the Temecula Olive Oil Co. and do an olive oil tasting but the store is always closed as early as we go to the market. We finally went late enough to find it open. What a great shop and what an education.
I love talking to the growers of products at stores like this and the Farmer's Market. They are so passionate about what they create and so willing to share their knowledge and YUM! the oils are fabulous. It is amazing that the same olives picked at different times of the year can taste soooo different. To my local readers if you want something fun and different to do hit The Temecula Olive Oil Co. in Old Town Temecula. 
Besides oil they have olives, mustards, sauces, spreads, herb blends, soaps, and gifts. I bought a yummy bottle of Roasted Garlic Oil that I will be drizzling over a Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Salad and everything else I can think of. To purchase their products online or learn more about the shop. Check out this link.At the Farmer's Market I scored another basket of those super sweet strawberries. I devoured last week's basket. I couldn't wait to wash them before I sampled one.
I also bought onions, leeks, zucchini, and gorgeous baby patty pan squash. Just look at these beauties...
I picked out a pound that I bought home and turned into this yummy casserole...
Shelly's Baby Patty Pan Gratin
1 Yellow Onion, sliced
3 Green Onions, diced
1 lb. Baby Patty Pan Squash, halved
8 Mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper
1 (8 oz) package Spinach Artichoke Dip (I used Trader Joe's Frozen Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip, TGIFriday's makes one too)
1/4 cup Shredded Italian Blend Cheese
Saute onions, mushrooms, and squash till slightly golden. Add garlic saute 1 minute more. Nuke artichoke dip till just melted and add to pan. Add salt & pepper. Mix to combine. Pour into Pyrex casserole dish and top with cheese. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes. I served it for lunch with a piece of grilled fish. It was a perfect side.
Sunday...
I hit downtown Fallbrook on Sunday for the 23rd annual Avocado Festival. It was a blast and yummmmmm avocados and GUACAMOLE. Good fats, oodles of vitamins.
We walked for miles. Finding parking was hideous so we ended up parking in the boonies but that was a good thing because I ate a lot of Holy Guaca-moly without guilt ;) (no chips I was good)
I also taste tested Avocado Ice Cream. I know I said, "Ewwwww" before I tasted it too but it was surprisingly really good. You know I'm already trying to replicate a Protein Ice Cream version for us :)Days like this make me so thankful I had weight loss surgery.
Pre-op I would have had to pay the $10 for preferred parking to get a diva spot near the action. Instead I walked miles without complaint from my free spot.
Pre-op I would have needed find a bench every few stalls to take a break. I might have decided to stay on that bench watching from the sidelines while the rest of my group went on without me. Instead I never stopped once.
Pre-op I would have been hot and sweaty and miserable. Well it WAS hotter than you-know-where but I wasn't miserable.
On second thought, I probably wouldn't have attempted it before surgery. I would have made up some excuse not to go and missed out on this fun event. I would have missed out on life.
Like I said, soooo thankful.
Fun weekend.
