The nearest Asian market is a little over an hour away, so I usually keep an ongoing list and when it gets long enough or we feel like a drive (whichever comes first) we hit the road and bring back a carload of goodies.

The Grand Mart in Centreville Va has a huge fresh produce section. I always make it a point to buy at least a few things I've never had before along with some favorites -- they have such good prices.  The photo shows a selection of this week's haul.  In addition to perfect smallish Italian eggplants, a ton of Thai and Italian basil, and tiny potatoes, I got some pipiane squash (they look similar to zucchini); round yellow Indian cucumbers (they look like tennis balls); batata yams; and a huge bag of Shanghai tips (like baby bok choy, only really small).  I also got some perfectly sweet yellow mangos.

Now I just have to decide how to prepare everything!

Labels: vegetables