Cooking from the farmers market

45+ recipe ideas for cooking from the farmers market! When the markets are full of fresh produce, baking and cooking is easier than ever.

I think my absolute favourite part of summer is being able to access tonnes of locally grown produce. There really is nothing like being able to eat veggies and fruit straight from the garden or orchard…the taste alone is worth waiting for. It’s like you can taste the sunshine in them. Over the course of the summer months, and into the fall, we will visit our local farmers markets many times and stock up on as much seasonal produce as we can. I buy bags full of fresh potatoes, carrots, beets, swiss chard, herbs, fruit, tomatoes, peppers, beans, onions…I could go on and on.

The challenge for me then becomes making sure I don’t let any of it go to waste. It feels terrible to look in the crisper and see wilted and rotten produce. Over the years I have gotten better at not letting this happen by making sure I serve tonnes of veggies at dinner, or bake pies or make jam with ripe fruit, and I’ll freeze or dry whatever I can.

But where I find the most joy with all this produce at my fingertips, is being able to create new dishes and serve up family favourite recipes. I find that I go back to many of the same recipes every summer, which I look forward to, so I thought I would share them with you as well! These are dishes and desserts that I will make many times over the summer, things like pies, cakes, skillets, salads…you name it.

I hope you can find something delicious to make with all of your farmers market goodies too!

Carrots

Fresh carrots are the best eaten raw right from the garden, don’t you think? There’s no flavour like a summer carrot. Carrots are a staple vegetable around here that appear at many dinners, and I use them in a lot of other dishes too. Here are some recipe ideas:

Beets

I think beets are such an underrated vegetable that get a bad rap. They’re SO delicious, why don’t people love them more? I enjoy them most roasted with butter and salt & pepper, but there are more great ways to enjoy beets. Here are more recipe ideas:

Swiss Chard

I love to boil fresh Swiss chard in a small amount of water until it’s tender but still green, then drain the water and toss it with butter. So good! I will often use Swiss Chard in other recipes that call for spinach.

Ground Chicken Bake with Spinach or Swiss Chard

Zucchini

Zucchini is probably my most favourite summer crop, and I use it in SO many recipes because of it’s versatility. My most favourite is likely this Zucchini, Cheddar Cheese & Chive Buttermilk Quick Bread. Here are more great zucchini recipes:

Fresh Summer Fruit

You just can’t beat all the fresh fruit available in the summer! Eat it as is, throw it in smoothies, bake with it…endless deliciousness. Here are some ideas to get you cooking and baking:

Potatoes

There are no potatoes quite like garden fresh potatoes, which I think are best boiled and served with butter and fresh dill. Mmmm. Here are more of our favourite potato recipes:

Champ, which is basically potatoes mashed with cream and chives
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Herbs
Dilled Scalloped Potatoes
Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup
Home Fries
Accordion Potatoes
Roasted Potato Salad
Classic Potato Salad
Potato Fritatta
Loaded Potato Crisps
Sweet Potato Latkes

Green Beans

Oh garden fresh green beans, how do I love thee? Lightly steamed and served with a little butter, seriously so good. This is another great way to enjoy this versatile vegetable:

Sauteed Green Beans with Fresh Basil & Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Summer tomatoes are where it’s at though. The flavour of them during this time of year is unbeatable…they do in fact taste like the sun and summer breeze. Sweet and delicious. I love to add them to salads, serve them up as snacks, toss them in sauces and soups. Here are some of my favourite tomato recipes:

One of my favourite recipes with fresh tomatoes is bruschetta! I’m sharing the summer fresh appetizer recipe for Tomato Basil Bruschetta over on the Kendall-Jackson blog today, so head on over to get this recipe! It’s a simple and scrumptious summer appie!

Squash

Corn

I hope you now feel inspired to visit your farmers market and stock up on produce! Yum.

Have a delicious day!

Disclosure: I am working with Kendall-Jackson wines to bring you some delicious recipes! But as always the recipe, my voice, all content, and opinions are mine alone. Enjoy!

By Jo-Anna Rooney

Fresh Herb Wreath Healthy Peanut Butter Pupcakes

About Jo-Anna Rooney

I'm Jo-Anna Rooney, the creator, director, creator, baker, maker and home decorator here at A Pretty Life! Sharing a simple home life through uncomplicated home tips, home decor and fresh and easy recipes.