OMG! Have you, like, SEEN what’s on The Market!?

Not only does summer boast the widest and most colorful assortment of seasonal foods, it also offers some of the easiest. Instead of overnight oatmeal, it’s eggs over-easy and fresh fruit. Instead of six hour stews, it’s quick simple salads. Instead of slow cooked roast, it’s quick grilled kebabs. If you need ideas for some speedy snacks, let The Market be your guide.

It doesn’t get any simpler than chilled, sliced large, seedless, and yellow watermelon from Hardin Farm. Or throw in a couple of certified organic tomatoes from Crimmins Family Farm, a little feta from White River Creamery, a pinch of fresh mountain mint from Food for Thought Farm, and a dash of balsalmic vinegarette and you’ve got a satisfying salad.

If something savory is a little more your style, say hello to certified organic fresh okra from Green Acres Atkins. I’ve found okra to be a very divisive topic, but most naysayers have never tried it roasted. Whole pods are the norm at my house because they’re so darn easy, but if you really want to minimize okra’s great gooiness, try chopping it a bit smaller.

If you still insist that okra isn’t nature’s greatest gift to mankind, I suppose there’s other summer food to be had. In fact, order before The Market closes tomorrow morning, and you’ll only be four steps away from a delicious dinner. Step 1: cube things. I recommend Clara eggplant from Rattle’s Garden, candy onions from Armstead Mountain Farm, and beef stew meet from Ratchford Farm. (No chopping required for that last one!) Step 2: skewer things. Step 3: apply marinade. Step 4: apply fire. Oh, wait. There’s actually five steps. Step 5: enjoy!

-Rebecca Wild
Program Manager

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