Keep This Recipe In Mind When You're At The Farmers Market

I know it's wet and cold out there, but a good meal can warm you up. Here's a recipe posted by the folks at the Marin Country Mart farmers market for roasted carrots and leeks.

Roasted Carrots and Leeks  

Ingredients
3 leeks
1-bunch carrots with greens
3-4 garlic cloves, sliced
1-tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1-teaspoon thyme
Sea salt  

Preparation
Clean the leeks thoroughly to remove soil that may be caught in the overlapping layers of this vegetable. First, trim the rootlets and a portion of the green tops and remove the outer layer. Cut the leeks into cross sections, and then place the sliced leek in a colander and run under cool water. Wash carrot and gently scrub them with a vegetable brush. You do not need to peel them if the carrots have been organically grown. If your carrots are less than 1” in diameter, then leave them whole. If your carrots are larger, chop them into 1-inch pieces.

Toss leeks and carrots with olive oil, sliced garlic cloves and thyme in a shallow roasting pan. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer for even roasting. Roast in a 350-degree oven for approximately 30 minutes until carrots are tender when pierced with a fork and leeks are golden and caramelized. Season with sea salt to taste.

Here are some other rainy day activities:

• We are fortunate to have two great farmers markets every week, rain or shine, in the Twin Cities. Stop by the Corte Madera farmers market in the Town Center, held every Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., for some fresh fruits and veggies. Restock on farm fresh food Saturdays at the Marin Country Mart farmers market in Larkspur every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Some of us are bunkered inside just watching the rain come down and trying to stay warm. More active souls might be thinking about how to get into shape and how great it'll be to get outside once the rain passes. For those folks who are up to a new challenge, REI in the Town Center is offering a free class focused on preparing for a triathlon. The class will be held Wednesday, April 11 from 7-8 p.m. at the Town Center Community Room.

• It's Spring Break and the kids don't have to be in school tomorrow, so why not take them out for some fun. The Lark Theater is showing The Lorax through Friday.

• Help celebrate National Library Week by joining in the fun at the Corte Madera Library. The whole family is invited to play "I Spy a Farm in Marin"; a fun seek-and-find game,  through April 20. Study the "Marvelous Marin" map posted in the Library. Spot all 15 quiz clues on the map and you’ll receive a pass  for 1 free child’s admission to the 2012 Marin County Fair- "Celebrating American County Fair Traditions"!