Rock These Farmer’s Market Recipes
You’ve heard the phrase, “an embarrassment of riches”? That’s when you’re so blessed with an overabundance of something, it’s almost too good to be true! Here in Castle Rock, we have or will have an embarrassment of fresh produce from Farmer’s Markets at two nearby locations: The Outlets (mid-June through October) 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the Festival Park Farmer’s Market, every Sunday, May 9-September 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The amazing, fresh produce and goodies you can score at the markets make for yummy seasonal side dishes, and all you need are a few mouth-watering recipes to help you take advantage of the season’s bountiful harvest!
Kid-Friendly Recipes
These recipes from Eating Well have been kid-tested and approved and are all the kind of home runs you can hit from a trip to the Farmer’s Market. From dessert pizza (fresh berries and mint on a yogurt sauced watermelon “crust”), broccoli quiche and lettuce wraps, to Hasselback Caprese Chicken and raspberry ginger-lime seltzer, you’ll have plenty of healthy, tasty options when you hear the littles ask “what’s for dinner?”.
This Summer Pasta Salad from Feasting at Home isn’t specifically for kids, but we can’t imagine any-aged eater turning this down! With grilled zucchini, corn and cilantro pesto – plus gluten-free rice noodles, here’s one way to load up on healthy veggies for a mouthful or five of home-grown goodness.
And Sylvia’s Farmer’s Market Fried Rice is one for the recipe book of repeats. Maded with seasonal veggies and edamame, this recipe can stay vegan or adapt to your protein preference of chicken or shrimp.
Home Grown Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of those veggies we like to grow ourselves. Because there’s just nothing on the planet like a home grown t’mater. For a different spin on pasta salad, this recipe from Southern Living combines spaghetti, marinated tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. You’ll need a couple of hours for the tomatoes to marinate, but then you’ll have a perfectly complementary vinaigrette for your noodles!
Fried green tomatoes are a Southern delicacy and when you add buttermilk feta dressing, your lunch or dinner bunch with go fried-green crazy, no matter where you live. Don’t skimp when it comes to the dill, and for a punchier punch, substitute blue cheese for the feta.
Cukes and Zukes
Spinach salad with watermelon and cucumber is a cool summer treat for hot days and a perfect light side dish. With lime juice, garlic, sugar and vinegar, the mixture of fruit and vegetable, sugar and salt is mouth-watering goodness.
Credit: Christina Holmes
The Thai Crunch Salad from Once Upon a Chef, inspired by the California Pizza Kitchen dish, is made with crispy Napa cabbage and a creamy peanut dressing – which is the perfect taste treat. Add grilled chicken for more protein and make a meal of it!
Food and Wine has an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink Farmer’s Market Chopped Salad with zucchini, bell pepper, golden beets and squash, plus plenty of lemon juice, mayonnaise and scallions. It’s an interesting way to reimagine slaw!
Unbelievable Beets
Beets are high in manganese which is one reason to eat them, but they also taste great when prepared like these roasted beets and greens from Once Upon a Chef. We think the magic happens when you add the goat cheese, walnuts and Dijon vinegar dressing.
If you don’t want to turn on the oven in the summer (and we know lots of home chefs who don’t!) you can always grill your beets like Christie at Girls Can Grill. As easy as roasting them in the oven (easier even) this super food recipe wraps beets, olive oil, kosher salt and black pepper in tin foil and grills till fork-tender – about 50 minutes.
Buy More Than a Meal?
Midwest Living has a half-dozen Farmer’s Market buying tips, and if you can’t eat everything you buy — here are some tips to keep your fresh produce, fresher longer. Feasting at Home will show you how to quick-pickle your veggies, when you can’t use up all the great produce you scored at the market.
Come Home to Crystal Valley
There’s so much to love about the town of Castle Rock and the master-planned community of Crystal Valley. Wide open spaces, miles of trails to bike and walk, and yet close to everything you need. Come and explore the new homes surrounded by nature from Richmond American Homes, Kauffman Homes, Century Communities and D.R. Horton. Whether your preference is ranch or two-stories – homes in the “valley” are priced from the high $300s.
