Farmers Market Recipes
Pennsylvania has many wonderful farms and markets filled with delicious, fresh produce. Below are some seasonal recipes we've gathered to make use of the abundant local food in season from spring through fall. Go to Local Harvest to find a farm or market near you! And be sure to check out this harvest calendar to find out when fruits and veggies are in season.
Strawberry Tomato Salsa
Makes: 2 cups
1 tomato, seeded and diced
1 habanero pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely diced
1 scallion, finely minced
1 pint strawberries, stems removed and quartered
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped
2 teaspoons fresh oregano leaves, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and black pepper, to taste
Combine the tomato, pepper, onion, scallion, and strawberries in a large bowl. Add the herbs, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper and mix well. Refrigerate the salsa for 1 hour before serving.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Serves: 4
Notes: Any in-season vegetables can be substituted in this recipe.
4 cups spinach or other mixed greens
1 cup fresh strawberries, peaches, blueberries, kiwi fruit, or any combination, sliced
2 green onions, chopped
1 small red onion, cut into thin rings
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces, blanched and chilled
1/4 cup sugar or honey
1/4 cup cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds, toasted
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
Toss greens, fruit, onions, garlic, and asparagus in a large bowl. To make vinaigrette, whisk together sugar or honey, vinegar, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper. Pour half of the dressing over salad just before serving. Top salad with sunflower seeds and goat cheese. Serve salad with remaining dressing on the side.
Orange Mint Tea
3 cups water
6 sprigs fresh mint
1/3 cup sugar, or to taste
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
water and ice
Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add mint, cover, remove from heat and steep for 15 minutes or longer. Remove mint. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. (The resulting concentrate may be cooled and frozen for later use.)
Combine juices in a large pitcher or bowl. Add mint concentrate plus water and ice to fill the pitcher or bowl. Chill completely and serve garnished with mint sprigs and thin slices of oranges or lemons (optional).
Rhubarb Sauce
Serves: 4
4 cups rhubarb, chopped
1/2 cup honey or 1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon tapioca
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Let stand for 10 minutes or until some juice forms. Heat slowly to boiling. Cool and serve over ice cream. Or try stirring in sliced strawberries or raisins and serve for breakfast or as a side dish, in place of applesauce.
Grilled Bruschetta
Serves: 10 (3 slices per person)
1 loaf French baguette, sliced
2 large yellow tomatoes, diced
2 large red tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, diced
1/2 cup green olives, chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons lemon peel, grated
1 tablespoon capers
6 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
Grill bread slices lightly on both sides (or broil in oven on a baking sheet). Combine remaining ingredients and spoon over grilled bread.
Grilled Peach Salsa
Makes: 4 cups
5 large peaches, halved and pitted
5 tomatoes, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Brush grill with vegetable oil and grill peaches face down for several minutes. With tongs, flip peaches until skins begin to darken. Remove peaches from grill when they can be pierced easily with a fork or skewer. Allow to cool. Remove skins and chop.
Combine chopped peaches, tomatoes, and jalapeno pepper. Stir in honey, cilantro, salt and pepper.
Whole Grain Tabouleh
Makes: 6 cups
1 cup uncooked quinoa or couscous
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
2 red or yellow tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, parsley, or mint, chopped
1 cup fresh vegetables (cucumbers, green or red bell peppers, carrots, summer squash), diced
1 cup cooked chickpeas (optional)
2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and ground pepper to taste
Prepare quinoa or couscous according to package directions. Fluff lightly with a fork and cool.
Add onion, tomatoes, fresh herbs, vegetables, and chickpeas to cooled grains.
Mix lemon or lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and pour over salad. Toss gently.
Blueberry Muffins
Makes: 12 muffins
Notes: These muffins are delicious with all different kinds of fruits. You can replace the blueberries with any in-season berry, such as cherries, raspberries, or blackberries.
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
2 cups fresh blueberries
1 1/8 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Stir together sugar and lemon zest and set aside for topping.
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in large bowl. Whisk remaining 1 1/8 cup sugar and eggs together in medium bowl until thick and homogeneous, about 45 seconds. Slowly whisk in butter and oil until combined. Whisk in buttermilk and vanilla until combined. Using rubber spatula, fold egg mixture into flour mixture until just moistened. Stir in remaining 1 cup of blueberries. (Batter will be very lumpy with a few spots of dry flour; do not overmix.)
Use large spoon to divide batter equally among prepared muffin cups (batter should completely fill cups and mound slightly). Spoon teaspoon of cooked berry mixture into center of each mound of batter. Using toothpick, gently swirl berry filling into batter using figure-eight motion. Sprinkle lemon sugar evenly over muffins.
Bake until muffin tops are golden and just firm, 17-19 minutes, rotating muffin tin from front to back halfway through baking time. Cool muffins in muffin tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Summer Sangria
Makes: 1 large pitcher
1 bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 orange, cut into wedges
1 lime, cut into wedges
8 ounces canned diced pineapples, with juice
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
4 cups ginger ale
1 cup fresh strawberries or raspberries, sliced
Pour wine in a pitcher or punch bowl and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and pineapple then add sugar and orange juice.
Chill overnight. Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving. If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice.
Panzanella Bread Salad
Serves: 8
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 cups crusty Italian bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and toasted
3 ripened red tomatoes, cut into 3/4" wedges
3 ripened yellow tomatoes, cut into 3/4" wedges
1/2 cup Nicoise or Kalamata olives, pitted
1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
In a bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Toss the dressing with remaining ingredients, season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine. Let salad stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. If not using immediately, cover and refrigerate.
Corn Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
Serves: 6
1 cup chopped walnuts
4 ears corn, kernels removed
2 jalapeeos, seeded and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup (2 oz.) crumbled goat cheese
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool.
Preheat grill. Lightly coat corn with cooking spray. Place corn on grill rack; grill 20 minutes, turning occasionally. Cool completely. Cut kernels from ears of corn and discard cobs.
In a large bowl, combine the toasted walnuts, corn, jalapenos, lime juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with the goat cheese before serving.
Barbecue Pork with Mop Sauce
Serves: 6
2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
ground pepper, to taste
2 1/4 pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed of all visible fat
2/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup molasses
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
This recipe can be prepared using a grill pan and oven or using an outdoor grill. If using the oven, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. If using a grill, preheat the grill to medium-low heat.
To prepare the spice rub, combine the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, cayenne and pepper in a bowl. Rub half of the mixture all over the pork and let stand 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, to prepare the sauce, combine the ketchup, vinegar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.
Rub the pork with the remaining spice rub.
If using the oven, spray a grill pan with cooking spray. Place the pork on the grill pan long enough to make grill marks. Transfer to a baking sheet or baking dish and bake until an instant-read thermometer registers an internal temperature of 145 degrees F when inserted into the thickest portion of the meat. Remove from oven, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into slices. Serve with the sauce.
If using a grill, grill the pork with the lid closed, turning several times, until an instant-read thermometer registers an internal temperature of 145 degrees F when inserted into the thickest portion of the meat, about 45 minutes, depending upon the thickness of the meat. Remove the pork from the grill, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into slices. Serve with the sauce.
Grilled Potato Salad
Serves: 6
2 pounds small new potatoes (such as red or Yukon Gold)
2 Vidalia onions, thinly sliced
2 pints cherry tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, smashed
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
Preheat a grill.
In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, onion, tomatoes, and garlic. Add the oil, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs and toss well to coat evenly.
Lay 2 large pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil in a stack on a work surface. Mound the potato mixture into the middle and wrap in the foil, turning up the edges to make a tight, well-sealed package. Place directly on the grill and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 20-30 minutes. Remove from the grill and let cool slightly before unwrapping.
(Alternately, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the potato package in the middle of the oven and roast until the potatoes begin to soften, 40 to 50 minutes. Uncover and roast until tender and starting to caramelize, 10 to 15 minutes.)
Raspberry Lime Iced Tea
Serves: 6
6 cups water
5 bags raspberry zinger tea
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 pint raspberries
2 limes, cut into wedges
mint sprigs
Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add tea bags, cover, remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes or longer. Allow to cool and remove tea bags.
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil. Cook briefly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add raspberries. Let come to room temperature.
Combine the tea and raspberry sugar syrup, to taste. Pour over ice. Squeeze juice from lime wedges into tea and garnish with mint sprigs.
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes: 2 dozen
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup finely shredded zucchini
12 oz. chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine egg, butter, brown sugar, honey, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
Combine flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate bowl and blend into liquid mixture.
Stir zucchini and chocolate chips into other ingredients, mix well. Drop by spoonful onto greased baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes in preheated oven.
Crispy Bruschetta with Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, and Mint
Serves: 6
12 1/2-inch-thick slices Italian or French bread
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large garlic clove, halved
6 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
4 ounces soft fresh goat cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Arrange bread slices on baking sheet. Brush olive oil over both sides of bread. Bake bread until golden, about 6 minutes per side. Remove toasts from oven. Rub cut sides of garlic over toasts.
Combine tomatoes and lemon juice in medium bowl. Season with generous amount of salt and pepper. Toss to combine. (Toasts and tomatoes can be prepared 1 hour ahead. Cover separately and keep at room temperature.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread goat cheese over toasts; arrange on baking sheet. Mound tomato mixture on toasts, dividing equally. Bake until heated through, about 8 minutes. Transfer bruschetta to platter. Sprinkle with mint.
Stoplight Salad
Serves: 8
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
2 cups corn kernels, removed from cob
1 medium green pepper, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, parsley, or basil, chopped
2 cups black beans (optional)
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper, to taste
Combine tomatoes, corn, peppers, herbs, and black beans (if using) in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar or lime juice, and minced garlic. Pour the dressing over the salad. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently and serve.
Curried Couscous
Serves: 6
1 3/4 cups water
1 cup uncooked couscous
1 1/2 cups broccoli, cut into small florets
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup carrot, shredded
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dry-roasted cashews, chopped
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
15-ounces chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. While couscous stands, steam broccoli florets, covered, for 3 minutes or until tender.
Combine couscous, cooked broccoli, and all other ingredients, except for feta cheese. Toss gently. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.
Pasta and Sausage in a Creamy Mustard Sauce
Serves: 8
1 pound medium shell pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 pounds sausage, meat removed from casings and crumbled
3/4 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons grainy mustard
pinch of crushed red pepper
1 cup basil, thinly sliced
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente; drain.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet. Add the sausage meat and brown over moderately high heat, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and simmer, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom, until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the cream, mustard and crushed red pepper and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the pasta and basil and toss to coat.
Watermelon Granita
Serves: 6
1 whole watermelon
3/4 cup superfine sugar
2/3 cup water
2 limes, juiced and zested
Cut the watermelon into quarters. Discard most of the seeds. Scoop the flesh into a food processor or blender and process briefly until smooth. (You may need to work in batches.)
Bring the sugar and water to boil in a small saucepan, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Pour the syrup into a bowl. Allow the syrup to cool, then chill until needed.
Strain the pureed watermelon through a sieve into a large plastic container. Discard the remaining seeds. Pour the chilled syrup, lime juice and zest over the pureed watermelon and mix well.
Cover and freeze for 2 hours until the mixture around the sides of the container is mushy. Mash the ice finely with a fork and return to the freezer.
Freeze for another 2 hours, mashing the mixture every 30 minutes, until the granita has a slushy consistency. Scoop into individual dishes and serve.
Apple, Cranberry, and Pear Crisp
Serves: 8
2 Rome Beauty apples - peeled, cored, and cubed
2 Comice pears - peeled, cored, and cubed
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup ground walnuts
1/2 cup butter
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8 inch baking dish.
Mix the apples, pears, cranberries, 1 tablespoon flour, honey, and lemon juice in the prepared dish.
In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, oats, walnuts, and butter to the consistency of coarse crumbs. Sprinkle loosely over the fruit mixture.
Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until brown and crisp on top.