CORN!!!!

[racfish]

I had my first Washington Corn this weekend.MMMMMMMMMMM---mmmmm.Juicy ,sweet,crunchy.What more can you want.Its about between 3/1.00 or 4/1.00 right now but it will get cheaper as the season goes on.
I left for Yakama on Saturday morn around 4:30 am.What a beautiful drive.Stopped by the ponds and fished for an hour.Scored a few trout.Got to Yakama around 9:am and got my 40 lbs of okra.I bought corn,okra,beets,garlic,onions,and cukes.Everything is up and running cept melons.They are 2 weeks off.
After Yakama I went out the Canyon road stopped at Umptanum and walked around and dunked in the river to cool off a bit.Brrrrrrrrr.Its amazing how cold that water stays.After that hit up Owens in Cle Elum.Went back to the ponds and fished 1 more hour.
Got home around 4:00 pm and started canning.I was done by Sunday around 12:00 noon.I made pickled beets,pickled okra,and apricot jam.For dinner on Saturday night I had my 3 trout on the Traeger with some roasted Wa State corn.Cant beat that dinner.Better then some expensive restaurant anyday.

Ifin you've never been to the Yakama valley this time of year and go produce shopping you're missing out.I go out I-90 to I-82 into Yakama.Then go home along the Canyon Road all the way into Cle-Elum.It adds alot to the driving but its a gorgeous drive.

[The Quadfather]

Racfish.... Man, I love your posts on the vittles! I love my eats as much as the next guy, but you are over the top with your trips to Yakima for produce.
They do have some pretty good stuff down at the Pike's market in Seattle.. LOL
It's all good, seriously. Damn, I was disappointed not to see you at the picnic! All that talk about "Pickled this and that" I even saw a jar of pickled eggs in Winthrop this weekend and thought of you. Keep the recipies coming!

[racfish]

I love the Public Market in Seattle.That was my hangout all through highschool thru the 80's.My wife parents both worked in the market.The problem with the market is it isnt 100 degrees,and theres no place to stop and wet the line on the way.Also there isnt a Owens Meat market either.I love just driving our great state looking for morsels and tidbits of culunary pleasures.Our great Northwest has many.Spring thru summer is mostly Ea Wa on the Yakima side for fresh produce and fruits.Then fall I head to Leavenworth Wenatchee for fruit.Now in August Skagit Valley corn is the happening.Also here and there I'll pick up a salmon or some smoked cod from local stands.Up near Coupville is this lil shack stand that sells the Best fish n'chips in the state.They also sell fresh whole crabs and shrimp.You dont get to 315 lbs not knowing where to forage and eat.
Now that I've been on my Weight Watchers programs I've settled down on the Fish n' chips.I've made it down to 264 and still going.I could write a book on good eats of Wa state.There are so many places to go and eat around here its hard to get to them all.I prefer the ma and pa diners over the Metropolitan or Canlis anyday.Theres nothing like good old fashion American food done right.
Where I live off Rainier valley is one of the best areas for great smaller restaurants and eating establishments.Its a neighborhood with rich cultural diversity and some of the best Southeast Asian,Chinese,Soul,and good down home foods.COMER CON GUSTO to all.

[VHMLLC]

racfish, congrats on the weight loss.
stan.=d>

[TroutCowboy]

When I lived in Seattle (I lasted 6 years, a lifetime for a Montana transplant!), I survived by making almost weekly weekend trips to Ellensburg to fish the Yakima. I would camp out of my truck at Umptanum, fish up and down the canyon, and journey into E'burg at night for some great burgers and cold beers at The Tav.

Great post, you brought back some great memories. Looks like I may have to start up that tradition again, using the food run as an excuse with the Mrs. ;-)