From Farm To Table: Farmers' Markets

Good cooking starts with good ingredients. Make the most of farmers market produce with these recipes in which fresh fruits and vegetables play a starring role.

Go Local

Farmers' markets are a great place to find the freshest sweet corn, the reddest, ripest tomatoes and the most fragrant, flavorful strawberries. Taste heirloom vegetables and fruits and sample hard-to-find foods like ramps, morel mushrooms, cardoons, and quince.

Many vendors offer recipes and cooking tips. Some sell house-made jams and hearth-baked breads, free-range chickens, and fresh eggs.

Asparagus

Fresh asparagus of all colors -- green, purple, or white -- is a gift of spring.

356820 Simply Steamed Asparagus Photo by homeschooler3
Simply Steamed Asparagus | Photo by homeschooler3.

Basil

A fragrant summer delight.

Grilled Portobello With Basil Mayonnaise Sandwich
Grilled Portobello with Basil Mayonnaise Sandwich.

Cucumbers

Crisp, refreshing cucumber recipes.

Hungarian Cucumber Salad
Hungarian Cucumber Salad | Photo by lutzflcat.

Beans and Peas

Green beans, string beans, English peas, and sugar snap peas.

Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes
Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes | Photo by naples34102.

Bell Peppers

Packed with vitamin C, peppers are also a good source of vitamin A.

Chef John's Stuffed Peppers
Chef John's Stuffed Peppers | Photo by KGora.

Leafy Greens

Dark leafy greens are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Chef John's Fisherman Pie
Chef John's Fisherman Pie | Photo by Baking Nana.

Zucchini

You won't give away zucchini with these recipes!

Fresh Corn and Zucchini Saute
Fresh Corn and Zucchini Saute | Photo by Allrecipes.

Radishes

Delicious raw or cooked.

Radishes on hot dog
Radishes on hot dog | Photo by Meredith.

Cherries, Raspberries, and Strawberries

The fresh fruits of summer, so berry delicious.

Balsamic Strawberries
Balsamic Strawberries | Photo by lutzflcat.

Tomatoes

The star of the market!

Sweet n Sour Tomato Salad
Sweet n Sour Tomato Salad | Photo by lutzflcat.

Beets

Both the green tops and the roots are edible.

Quick Pickled Eggs and Beets
Quick Pickled Eggs and Beets | Photo by Meredith.

Eggplant

Versatile eggplant: try it in smoky dips or spicy stir-fries.

Eggplant Sandwiches
Eggplant Sandwiches | Photo by CookinBug.

Grapes, Plums, and Blackberries

Late-summer sweetness.

closeup of green grapes with a sprig of mint
Spiced Grapes | Photo by lutzflcat. lutzflcat

Corn

For more ways to eat corn on the cob, see our Grilled Vegetables article.

Two ears of corn with the husks pulled back, with a dish of compound butter
Grilled Corn with Cilantro Lime Butter | Photo by Molly. Molly

Carrots and Summer Squash

Brighten up your plate with carrots and squash.

Thai Carrot Salad
Thai Carrot Salad | Photo by lutzflcat.
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