Farmer's Market Tip: Seconds

[ysabetwordsmith]

When you shop at a farmer's market or roadside stand, ask if they have "seconds" for sale at a lower price. "Seconds" are fruits/vegetables that are slightly damaged but still usable for canning, juicing, or other purposes where appearance is not important.

Yesterday I bought a whole bunch of tomatoes for half price that way. Since I'm making spaghetti sauce, it doesn't matter if the tomatoes are oddly shaped, lightly bruised, or bug-nibbled on one end. I can cut off the bad part and still come out way ahead. So instead of having to choose between options, I was able to buy enough for two batches of sauce: one with yellow romas and yellow beefsteaks, and one with red romas, red beefsteaks, and black plum tomatoes.

Cross-posted on cheap_cookin.