A Farmers Market Feast
Of all the months, August is one of the most uneventful. Unlike the next few months ahead, there are no holidays to look forward to. And for many (students and teachers, for instance), August is a true summer bummer as it marks the end of vacation. But there's one bright spot you can focus on, especially if you're watching your weight: August is the month for fresh produce at farmers markets.
You'll find more fresh produce there than you'll probably know what to do with. For example, tomatoes have been available for about a month but now there seem to be endless varieties to pick from. Melons have been slowly showing up, but now you have your choice: Cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon. And fresh, new items continue to arrive every day. Here's a quick look at some other options you might find, and a few suggestions on how to use them:
Blackberries
Snack on them or enjoy them with red meat.
Celery root
Cook and puree it, and enjoy it in place of mashed potatoes.
Corn
Cut kernels off the cob (raw or roasted) and dress with lime, cilantro and a touch of olive oil.
Figs
These make for a tasty salad topper.
Kohlrabi
Also known as cabbage turnip, this bulb can be sliced and added to your salad.
Lima beans
Gently steam these and combine with corn and tomatoes.
Melon
Enjoy them on their own, or toss cubes into salads or cold soups.
Okra
Try roasting this veggie to make it less slimy.
Peach
You can make a savory relish by mixing peach with red onion, salt and pepper. Or try the delicious Peach Salad recipe below.
Plums
These are a great complement to red meat.
Shelling beans
Throw these into your salad to make a hearty meal.
Summer squash
Enjoy it with whole grains or fish.
Aside from taste--which is usually far superior to the food at your grocery store that has been imported from all over the world--what's the benefit of buying from your nearby farmers market? First, the food is locally grown, so you'd be supporting a fellow community member. Plus, you'll know where your food is coming from. Not to mention, opting for food that's grown closer to home means less wear and tear on the environment. And in many cases, you'll save yourself some cash, too. If you'd like to find a farmers market near you, check out the USDA site or Local Harvest.
Peach Salad With Balsamic Dressing
Makes 4 Servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/16 teaspoon salt
2 peaches, sliced
1 tablespoon red onion, thinly sliced
8 cups salad greens
DIRECTIONS
1. Combine vinegar, oil, salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl.
2. Cover peaches and onion with vinegar mixture; let sit for up to 30 minutes.
3. Dress salad greens with peach mixture and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
1 serving
Calories: 58
Protein: 2 g
Carbohydrate: 11.1 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.6 g
Total Fat: 1.5 g
Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 50 mg
Calcium: 47 mg
www.thebestlife.com
You'll find more fresh produce there than you'll probably know what to do with. For example, tomatoes have been available for about a month but now there seem to be endless varieties to pick from. Melons have been slowly showing up, but now you have your choice: Cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon. And fresh, new items continue to arrive every day. Here's a quick look at some other options you might find, and a few suggestions on how to use them:
Blackberries
Snack on them or enjoy them with red meat.
Celery root
Cook and puree it, and enjoy it in place of mashed potatoes.
Corn
Cut kernels off the cob (raw or roasted) and dress with lime, cilantro and a touch of olive oil.
Figs
These make for a tasty salad topper.
Kohlrabi
Also known as cabbage turnip, this bulb can be sliced and added to your salad.
Lima beans
Gently steam these and combine with corn and tomatoes.
Melon
Enjoy them on their own, or toss cubes into salads or cold soups.
Okra
Try roasting this veggie to make it less slimy.
Peach
You can make a savory relish by mixing peach with red onion, salt and pepper. Or try the delicious Peach Salad recipe below.
Plums
These are a great complement to red meat.
Shelling beans
Throw these into your salad to make a hearty meal.
Summer squash
Enjoy it with whole grains or fish.
Aside from taste--which is usually far superior to the food at your grocery store that has been imported from all over the world--what's the benefit of buying from your nearby farmers market? First, the food is locally grown, so you'd be supporting a fellow community member. Plus, you'll know where your food is coming from. Not to mention, opting for food that's grown closer to home means less wear and tear on the environment. And in many cases, you'll save yourself some cash, too. If you'd like to find a farmers market near you, check out the USDA site or Local Harvest.
Peach Salad With Balsamic Dressing
Makes 4 Servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/16 teaspoon salt
2 peaches, sliced
1 tablespoon red onion, thinly sliced
8 cups salad greens
DIRECTIONS
1. Combine vinegar, oil, salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl.
2. Cover peaches and onion with vinegar mixture; let sit for up to 30 minutes.
3. Dress salad greens with peach mixture and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
1 serving
Calories: 58
Protein: 2 g
Carbohydrate: 11.1 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.6 g
Total Fat: 1.5 g
Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 50 mg
Calcium: 47 mg
www.thebestlife.com
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