50 Farmers Market Recipes!

You’ve been telling me how you want to cook with more fresh and healthy fruits and veggies from your local farmer’s markets (and CSA boxes) and I couldn’t be more thrilled! If you’ve been here a while, you’ll already know that this is my favorite way to cook (seasonally & locally). Here are 50 Farmers Market Recipes to get you started!

50 Farmer’s market Recipes

I have a soft spot in my heart for farmers. Perhaps because it’s in my blood. Both of my grandfathers were farmers, one in Egypt, one in Finland. My Finnish grandfather, Paavo, would sell his produce in a nearby town square- full of zest and vigor, so happy to be there! I often think of them as I walk through the market – all the hard work and love they put into growing things. I see that same spirit in the eyes of the vendors now.

Recently, we migrated to Santa Barbara for the winter and here at the local farmer’s market, I met a farmer named Rodney, a 90-year-old Chinese-American. His glittering eyes are full of life and… joy! He is doing what he loves. He used to be a successful engineer, but now he grows fruit. A second career that has kept him young, vibrant and connected with his community. His sweet stories and our interactions bring tears to my eyes. A very special soul.

Shopping at the farmers market, not only gives us access to the best tasting produce – produce that is in season, picked at its peak of flavor, with the shortest amount of travel time between the farm and you- but it gives us most importantly, connection.  

This time of year, our local farmer’s markets are brimming with beautiful produce. What they have will vary from region to region, but wherever you are, your local farmers have grown these beauties just for you! Let’s honor all their hard work, by making a point of showing up for them! (See my TIPS at the bottom of the post!)

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the growing season. And in the process, our taste buds and bodies will thank us. It is a beautiful, seasonal ritual that builds community… which in turn nurtures the soul! A win-win for all.

Here are 50 Farmers Market Recipes (or CSA recipes) to try out this growing season! Many are vegan and gluten-free. Click on each photo for the recipe. Happy Weekend! xoxo

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Homemade Roasted Enchilada Sauce! How to make the most flavorful and easy enchilada sauce,  (both red and green) by roasting the tomatoes or tomatillos before blending. Not only does this give great flavor, it is all made on one sheet pan! Simple and EASY! #enchiladasauce

Extend the life of summer produce with this easy recipe for Quick Pickled Veggies! A simple step-by-step guide to creating the most flavorful refrigerator pickles!  I used this recipe a lot when we were getting our weekly CSA box and couldn’t keep up with all the produce!

How to Make Quick Pickled Veggies!| 30-Second Video

Summer Pasta Salad w/ Grilled Zucchini, Corn and Cilantro Pesto is made with gluten-free rice noodles and loaded up with healthy farmers market veggies, then tossed in the most flavorful Cilantro Pesto…. deliciously addicting! Vegan and Gluten-free! One of my favorite Farmers Market Recipes!

Wait until tomatoes are at their peak of flavor to make this Simple Oven Roasted Tomato Sauce highlighting juicy ripe summer tomatoes. Use this with your favorite pasta, pizza or over grilled fish! A fun, simple way to extend summer’s harvest!  May be frozen or canned. One of my favorite Farmers Market Recipes!

 

Farmers Market Fried Rice, made with seasonal veggies and edamame! A highly adaptable recipe that can be made vegan, vegetarian or add chicken or shrimp.

This Farmer’s Market Beet Salad with Pistachios & Feta is one of our favorites!  Beautiful and festive it can be made ahead and keeps for 3 days in the fridge.

Purple Cauliflower Salad (Sicilian Style!) with olives, black rice, capers, parsley, scallions and pickled red onions. This vegan healthy salad is easy to make and keeps for several days, perfect for meal prep!

Vegan Zucchini Quesadillas ( and their blossoms). These flavorful Zucchini Quesadillas are made vegan with cashew cheese and served up with a flavorful Poblano Salsa

There is nothing like sweet summer corn and paired with basil, it is a match made in heaven! This light and healthy Summer Corn Chowder topped with pan-seared fish is so dreamy! A simple easy dinner that can be made in under 30 minutes. Use salmon, halibut, cod, or sea bass!

Baked Quinoa with Zucchini, Corn and Feta, topped with a fresh Tomato Relish. A healthy, easy vegetarian dinner recipe, perfect for using up all your farmer’s market veggies!

 

 Farmers Market Vegetable Soup– a simple healthy vegan soup that is easy to make and loaded with healthy nutrients- a great way to use up all those farmers market veggies! Great for Sunday meal prep!

Quick Pickled Summer Squash! Preserve summer’s bounty with these quick pickled summer squash and zucchini! Add to sandwiches and burgers for a tasty crunchy bite!

Not sure what to do with garlic scapes or Shishito Peppers? Grill them! Grilled Garlic Scapes, Asparagus and Shishito Peppers with Sesame Dressing – such a delicious combo of flavors that lends itself to Asian style mains. Slightly spicy, this farmer’s market side dish is perfect alongside grilled meat or tofu.

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Smoked Blue Cheese – a simple farmers market salad highlighting sweet and juicy heirloom tomatoes. Can be made in 15 minutes!

Spicy Corn Fritters with Cilantro Cream – are made with fresh sweet corn, right off the cob. An easy delicious Farmers Market Recipe that works as an appetizer or vegetarian main! So yummy!

Have you stumbled upon Kohlrabi but not sure what to do with it? This Kohlrabi Slaw with cilantro, jalapeño and lime is delicious, refreshing and super nutritious! A refreshing summer side to your grilled mains. A healthy vegan Farmers Market Recipe!

 

A fast and healthy Farmers Market Recipe – Corn, Zucchini and Basil Stir fry, topped with your choice of tofu or shrimp. Simple and adaptable. Vegan, Gluten-free!

Farmers Market Vegetarian Enchiladas– with black beans and your choice of veggies (like red bell pepper, sweet potato, zucchini or corn)and Homemade 5 Minute Enchilada Sauce! Easy, Healthy and full of delicious Mexican Flavor! Vegan and Gluten-free adaptable!

How to make Fermented “Kosher” Dill Pickles! A simple recipe for making the most flavorful, crunchy, tangy, garlic dill pickles with only 15 minutes of hands-on time. Simple easy instructions!

A refreshing Cantaloupe Salad with red onion, lime, cilantro, mint, Aleppo chili flakes, pepitas and optional crumbled feta (optional) – an easy healthy summer salad, perfect for potlucks and gatherings. Vegan adaptable!

Marinated Fava beans– with olive oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon zest and fresh herbs- a great way to persevere summer shelling beans. Serve on your next mezze platter. Simple and delicious!

A flavorful zippy recipe for Zucchini Cakes with Jalapeño and Lime. Serve these guys up with Chipotle Aioli and a hearty green salad for a tasty, low-calorie, vegetarian meal.

Meet my new favorite farmers market salad –Nectarine Salad with cucumber, Basil & Goat Cheese, with red onion and optional Urfa Biber ( Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes!

 

Farmer’s Market Veggie Pasta Salad with grilled zucchini and summer squash, fresh corn, black beans and cherry tomatoes! Serve this warm for dinner and chill the rest for weekday lunches!

Cool down with this refreshing  Chilled Cucumber Soup (aka green gazpacho) with yogurt, cilantro, coriander and lime. A delicious beginning on hot summer nights!

Even my non-watermelon eating husband likes this Moroccan Watermelon Salad with cucumber, mint, pistachios, and optional feta. The hint of clove brings it up a notch. So beautiful, flavorful and refreshing and especially tasty when watermelons are in season! Pick out a firm melon for this one! Keep it vegan or add feta!

 Peach Panzanella Salad with Fennel, Arugula and Basil– a summery Farmers Market Recipe with a delicious combination of flavors. The crunchy homemade croutons add amazing texture.

 Moroccan Eggplant Pickles with garlic, coriander seeds and cilantro. A delicious way to preserve your garden eggplant just a little bit longer! Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh herbs, they make the perfect side to any Mediterranean-style meal.

 Grilled Fava Beans– with Mint, Lemon & Sumac, a simple, easy way to prepare fresh fava beans on the grill with Middle Eastern flavors.

Elevate sweet summer corn with this Elote Recipe – also known as Mexican Street Corn! It is made with chilies, cilantro and lime, and this lighter, healthier version can be grilled or sautéed and can easily be made vegan! Serve as a side, a salad or even a starter with corn chips!

 

Keep an eye out for fresh okra at your farmer’s market! Simply the BEST. Here is my dad’s easy tasty recipe for Egyptian Okra with tomatoes, garlic and onion. A delicious vegan side dish or serve it as a main over fluffy basmati rice, for a light vegan meal!

Peach Bruschetta with goat cheese, fresh basil, and infused honey! A simple way to use fresh juicy summer peaches in a savory way! An easy appetizer, perfect for summer gathering or potlucks!

Rainbow Chard Pasta with Lemon, Garlic and Toasted Bread Crumbs- is such a delicious way to use up all that summer chard! A simple, delicious and healthy Farmers Market Recipes!

 

 Grilled Romaine Salad with Corn, Fava Beans and Avocado – a light and refreshing summer meal. Keep it vegan or add grilled shrimp for added protein. Either way, it’s sure to be your new favorite salad. Don’t have access to fresh Fava beans? No worries, sub edamame!

 

Keep snacking light and healthy with crunchy farmers market veggies.  Such a good excuse to try salad turnips and different varieties of radishes. This Farmers Market Veggie Platter is sure to please!

Pickled Cherry and Farro Salad with almonds, fresh herbs and Vanilla– Balsamic Dressing! A truly delicious summer salad featuring juicy cherries!

 

Cool and refreshing Watermelon Gazpacho with avocado, cucumber, radish and sprouts. An easy vegan chilled soup for summer! A perfect start to dinner, or makes for a light and refreshing lunch!

Tomato, Beet and Buratta Salad with Basil Oil and Balsamic Drizzle- a vibrant and tasty summer salad made with farmers market veggies!

This Fresh Peach Salsa recipe is bursting with summer flavor! Delicious on its own with chips or serve over grilled fish or chicken. Simple and easy, make this when peaches are at their peak of flavor -fresh, juicy and ripe.

 

Spaghetti with Quick Tomato Sauce! Fresh heirloom tomatoes are cooked into a Quick Tomato Sauce with garlic and basil. Keep it vegan or add cheese. Simple, easy, so delicious. A great way to use up all your sweet garden tomatoes!

A Sicilian recipe for Grilled Eggplant Caponata – simple, easy and full of summer flavor! Serve it as a healthy vegan appetizer over crostini, or as a delicious side dish, or turn it into an eggplant “salad” served over greens and grains! Low- Carb and Vegan!

 Grilled Eggplant Steaks with Fresh Tomato Relish and an Italian herb sauce called Gremolata. Keep it vegan or add crumbled cheese. A simple, healthy dinner recipe!

QUICK and easy Zucchini Basil Soup, with a lusciously smooth texture. Keep it vegan or swirl in a little yogurt at the end. A great way to use up all your summer zucchini! Freeze for winter.

These Middle Eastern, Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa, Eggplant, Chickpeas, and Zhoug Yogurt are the perfect make-ahead meal for summer gatherings and potlucks. Or meal prep them on Sunday to serve up during the busy work week! Gluten-free, vegan and paleo adaptable!

 

Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups with Spinach and Basil, baked in marinara sauce, a healthy, low-carb, vegan-adaptable recipe! Love this Farmers Market Recipe!

Zucchini Fritters with dill, feta and Tzatziki Sauce, a simple easy way to use up summer squash and zucchini! Healthy and light!

 

A simple delicious recipe for Fermented Hot Sauce using fresh summer chilies, with no special equipment and only 20 minutes of hands-on time!

Fresh Tomatillo Salsa Recipe ! (aka Salsa Verde) A FRESH vibrant recipe for Tomatillo Salsa using *uncooked* tomatillos, resulting in the most amazing flavors. Serve this with chips, Baja Tacos, quesadillas or as a sauce for enchiladas!

 

Rustic Zucchini Tian with Middle Eastern Spices served over rice for a simple vegetarian meal, or as a delicious healthy side dish. Vegan!

Beet and Cabbage Kraut! A simple easy, small-batch recipe for Beet and Cabbage Sauerkraut that anyone can make using a mason jar, that takes only 20 minutes of hands-on time. Full of healthy good bacteria that will energize the body and help heal the gut.

Zucchini Hummus! – a bean-free alternative to hummus, similar to baba ganoush, but using zucchini instead of eggplant! Vegan and Gluten-Free!

Kimchi! A quick and easy recipe that only takes 30 minutes of hands-on-time before mother nature takes over! Full of healthy, gut-healing probiotics, the benefits of eating kimchi are endless. This authentic kimchi recipe is vegan adaptable, gluten-free and can be made as spicy or as mild as you like!

Chili Lime Chicken with Glazed Peaches – a fast and healthy farmers market-inspired dinner highlighting fresh juicy summer peaches. Can be made with breast or thigh meat.

 

Huckleberry Almond Flour Pancakes! Grain-free, gluten-free pancakes that are fast and easy to make,  topped with fresh wild huckleberries ( or any summer berry) and a drizzle of real maple syrup!

Plum Galette with Buckwheat Crust! Juicy summer plums are highlighted in this simple recipe for Plum Galette with Buckwheat Crust. The buckwheat is super tasty – but optional here, so don’t let it stop you! A pinch of five-spice adds a whisper of the exotic.

Simple and delicious Summer Berry Tart with a Short Bread Crust that requires no rolling, simply press it into the tart pan and bake. Refreshing and light, this recipe is a snap to make!

 

 

 

 

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I hope these Farmers Market Recipes motivate you to get out there and head to your local farmers market. Get to know a farmer or two and pick out a couple of things to try this week!

What to buy at a farmers market: (TIPS & Tricks)

1. If you are new to visiting a farmers market, my advice is to keep it simple. Don’t overbuy! it is really easy to do, especially if you go without a plan. The saddest thing is seeing what you’ve purchased go to waste because you couldn’t go through it all. Start conservatively.
2. Be conservative with “eat-immediately” items- things that will not last very long – like sprouts, lettuce, berries, some fruits. Opt for 1-2.
3. Be less conservative with produce that keeps for longer (potatoes, apples, cabbages, winter squashes, leeks, kale, etc) that give you more time to consume them. Buy more of these.
4. Try one new thing. Just one. ( I like to go with a plan in mind of what I need for the week, and then just surprise myself at the market with one more beautiful thing- just one!)
5. Buy potted herbs! The best tip here! I often buy specialty items like Thai basil, garlic chives, purple basil- thing’s I can’t readily find at the grocery store.
6. Preserve, don’t toss. You can always freeze things like berries, ferment things,  or pickle things …. to extend their life.

 

If you live in Spokane, here is an article on Spokane Eats Blog with our local 2019 Farmers Markets – where they are and times of the week. It’s crazy to think that just a few years ago, we only had one. 😉

We have so MANY to choose from now! I love seeing our food community grow. So vibrant!

Cheers and Love,

Sylvia

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