Local Market Natural Fruits – Vegetables

Find Market Fresh Natural Vegetables at Local Farmers Markets

Bring the bounty of fresh summer fruits and vegetables into your kitchen! When you shop at local farmer’s markets you can talk to the growers or the buyers to learn more about your produce. Taking advantage of local seasonal vegetables will bring the best crops into your family’s diet. Farmers markets feature regional in-season fruits and vegetables that bring the freshest ingredients to your dinner table. The TV show Now We’re Cooking’s Market Fare featured the favorites found at the local farmers market in the episode that took the audience to Eastern Market, York PA.

Cherry-Rhubarb Chutney

1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup onion-minced
1/3 cup sweet red pepper-minced
1/3 cup dry cherries
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup water
1 Tbs. fresh ginger-grated
2 cloves garlic-pressed
¼ tsp. salt
2 cup rhubarb-cut into ½” pieces
3 med. tomatoes-cored, seeded, chopped to equal about 1 ½ cup

1. Place all ingredients except rhubarb and tomatoes into sauce pot. Heat to a boil. Add rhubarb, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes and simmer for 20 more minutes or until thickened.
3. Cool. Store in refrigerator for 10 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Serve Chutney on tostados with brie, or with grilled steak, or as a topping for chicken or fish.

Crostini

2 Tbs. unsalted butter-melted
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 loaf whole grain baguette
2 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
½ tsp. ground black pepper

1. Combine all ingredients except bread.
2. Slice bread into ¼” slices and toss in mixture.
3. Bake at 375º until crisp.

Wilted Dandelion Greens with Pasta

1 large onion-sliced
1 Tbs. olive oil
3 cloves garlic-slivers
Salt
Crushed red pepper
½ lb. cooked whole grain capellini
2 Tbs. fresh oregano-minced
½ cup pasta water
½ lb. fresh parmesan cheese-grated

1. Sauté onion in olive oil until just translucent.
2. Add garlic, salt and pepper, cook briefly 1 minute.
3. Stir in pasta, water, oregano, and dandelion greens. Stir continuously as greens wilt until pasta is hot. Stir in cheese and serve immediately.

Wilted Bitter Greens

1 bag dandelion greens
1 small onion-diced
2 slices bacon
pinch nutmeg

1. Blanch dandelions for 15 seconds in large pot of boiling water. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2. Dice bacon and crisp in skillet. Add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes or until onion is translucent.
3. Add greens, stir in salt, pepper and nutmeg. Heat until hot.

Minted Strawberries

1 pt. fresh strawberries
1 Tbs. orange zest
2 Tbs. brown sugar
2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs. chiffonade of mint
½ cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
Pinch nutmeg

1. Toss strawberries with zest, 2 Tbs. sugar and mint.
2. Whip cream with electric mixer and add nutmeg.
3. Serve strawberries in champagne glass with dollop of whipped cream.

The Wow Natural Food Diet and the 6 Weeks Diet both focus on eating natural whole foods. A diet that is high in natural fresh vegetables and fruits will give you all the building blocks of life. Regional market fresh vegetables should be part of every healthy diet.