The Fruits of Summer
SeattleMeg August 11th, 2008
You’ve probably driven by this unassuming little fruit stand on 15th, right across from Ballard High School. You’ve maybe even giggled at the name, Top Banana. But have you stopped to check out the selection of earthly delights? Not only are their hanging flower baskets lush and full with tons of blossoms, the few pre-packaged items inside include handmade tortillas and jars of local honey. There a small cooler in one corner in case you forgot that you need milk or sour cream or want that natural yogurt for your fruit salad.
The peaches are in right now, going for a very reasonable less than $2 a pound. Fresh green beans and snap peas, rows of vine-ripe tomatoes, canteloupes for less than a dollar a pound… I’m in heaven while I make my choices for the week. This is my favorite Sunday ritual! Yesterday morning, I grabbed the following:
1 LARGE red bell pepper for mum
1 huge head of cauliflower (delicious steamed and mashed with butter and pepper)
little over a pound of tiny cukes to make fridge pickles
bag of peeled baby carrots
bunch of organic bananas
about a pound of small red potatoes, to be skewered and grilled tonight
3 huge plums
4 huge peaches
a large english cucumber
a bunch of green onions
Total? $20.26. I can deal with that. They do take credit cards, unlike most farmer’s market booths. There’s a decent sized gravel parking lot and they’re more than happy to help you get items to your car. Like maybe those giant watermelons? Although they have plastic bags (but they’re sturdy for re-use!), the clerks are more than happy to evenly distribute your items in bags that you’ve brought. And they don’t put the easily squashable items on the bottom, as has happened to all of us at the grocery store sometimes. So come check them out and plan a delicious dinner tonight. Invite friends over and share the secret when they ask “Wherever did you find such wonderful-tasting fresh veggies?” “Why, Top Banana, of course!”
Top Banana, 6501 15th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98117 (206) 783-7786, Mon-Sun 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
(and they have fresh-cut trees in the lot over the winter holidays.)
