Hitting up the farmers market has gotten a lot easier with new markets popping up on a regular basis. In addition to convenience, you will be getting local, farm fresh, organic and nutritional dense food. There are so many benefits to eating more locally.
So you have just come back from the farmers market and your kitchen is filled with delicious nutritious food…now what?
Food from the market tends to spoil faster because it’s free from pesticides and preservatives that tend to keep supermarket purchased foods fresh longer. You will want to start prepping, cooking and freezing as soon as you can (at least in a day or so). Items like onions, garlic and scallion should be chopped up and stored in the freezer to preserve its freshness.
Here are some delicious recipe ideas that you can incorporate into your weekly meals or freeze for future dishes.
1. Cauliflower Fried Rice: Put a spin on your next fried rice dish! Using cauliflower fried rice instead will cut down on the carbs and tastes just as great as the traditional dish. The recipe requires flavorful ingredients you can scoop from the framers market like garlic, ginger and scallions. Combine the cauliflower with carrots and bok choy for a vegetable-based stir fry.
2. Tomato Sauce : You can’t go wrong with having fresh homemade tomato sauce in the freezer or fridge. This recipe requires simple ingredients like garlic, olive oil and tomatoes (of course). Feel free to add your own twist to make the recipe yours. Don’t just think pasta, you can pair sauce with fish, vegetables, eggs and meat.
3. Dips: The secret is in the sauce…or dip! Challenge your taste buds and culinary skills with these simple dip creations. Most if not all ingredients can be found at your local farmers market.
4. Soup: Soups are so easy to create with plenty of wholesome ingredients that can be had the same day or stored in the freezer to maintain freshness. If you are looking for a hearty option you can add your favorite protein with a vegetable base, think chicken vegetable soup. You will want to use a lot of root vegetables for variety and nutritional value. Root vegetables in season during the spring include carrots, turnips and radishes. If you are looking for more of a creamier option check out this creamy potato soup recipe. For something seasonal in spring or summer, think a tomato and cucumber gazpacho.
5. Buddha Bowls: Think about a different approach to a salad. The farmers market is abundant in fresh produce, and this meal idea needs no recipe. Fresh leafy greens are in peak season in the spring, so choose a base and top with other colorful fruits and vegetables (raw or roasted), pulling everything together with a simple olive oil dressing.
The biggest take away is to try and prep and freeze right away, don’t let your produce go bad before you even have a chance to indulge. Having these yummy recipe options on hand is an excellent motivator!
