On the Market.

I ran across an article today that gives recipes for things you can make with in season produce you may find at your local Farmer’s Market at Organic.com. Keep in mind, though, that while the article states to “be sure to look for the word “organic” when browsing your market’s stalls” that there are a lot of farmers on the Market who do grow organic produce but they just aren’t labeled as such. Technically to say something is organic you have to go through some crazy registration process which can cost a lot of money. So just ask the farmers how they grow their produce and if they do use pesticides, whether or not they are organic pesticides. Recipes found in the article include Fresh Strawberries with Lemon Cream and Cake, Blueberry Pancakes, Fettuccine with Shrimp and Snowpeas, Braised Peas and Scallions, Apricot Pork Salad, Leek and Potato Frittata, and Lemon Carrots with Parsley. You can read the article here. And, should you be looking for pork for that Apricot Pork Salad, Garden Mountain Farm sells free range pork free of hormones or antibiotics at the Roanoke Farmer’s Market on the second Saturday of every month. They will take pre-orders via email which guarantees they won’t be sold out by the time you make it to the Market.

Also, as summer just snuck up on us yesterday, be sure to check out the article, Summer at the Farmers’ Market, as well. It also contains recipes which incorporate blackberries, melons, and all that squash that seems to be coming out of everyone’s ears right now. Both articles are mostly relevant to what you’re going to find on the Market currently. Except for the apricots. The frost must have gotten those. I haven’t really seen any carrots either, though beets aren’t uncommon right now. I’m not exactly what you would call a fan of beets, however, for those of you who are I found an article that has several recipes as well as information on selection, storage and handling. You can check out that article at SamCooks.com. For an abundance of beet recipes, visit LoveToKnow Recipes.

And, should you have a great recipe that incorporates seasonal fruits and veggies from the Market, please feel free to share it with everyone by posting it in the comments.

If you’re looking for something new to spice up your salads, try Sumdat Farm Market’s Vidalia Onion Honey Mustard Salad Dressing. The perfect dressing for those who like their salads a bit on the sweeter side, the honey gives this dressing a sweet taste with a bit of onion kick and is made with real honey, dijon, and 9% Vidalia Onions - not artificial flavors. A 12 oz. bottle runs $4.99. Sumdat is currently open 7 days a week from around 10am to 3:30 or 4pm and is located at 209-A Market Street.

Are you a chocolate lover? Say Cheese offers a selection of gourmet chocolates including Dark & Milk Chocolates by Brown Paper Chocolates. Created from fresh, non-processed gourmet ingredients, these chocolates are divine and best eaten and appreciated slowly over time. They’re also great with a sweet wine such as Peaks of Otter’s Sweet Plumlicious Wine. I tried the Dark Chocolate & Espresso, Kahlua®, Cocoa Nibs which is zinged with espresso and Kahlua®, and crunchy cocoa nibs. Available in cute, square, brown paper boxes these chocolates run $11.50 each for 4.5 oz. Say Cheese is open from 10am to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday and is located at 106 Salem Avenue.

Have a favorite goodie you’re fond of on the market? Leave a comment!