Yesterday marked a sad day in the life of my kiddos and I….the last Farmer’s Market of the Year…and most importantly our access to fresh kettle popcorn! The kids & I LOVE going to the farmer’s market on Tuesday’s with the top priority of that sweet and salty goodness. So yesterday we of course ate as much popcorn as our bellies could hold and then managed to get some great greens and fruit to use in dishes this week.
When going to a Farmer’s Market I think it very important to have a limit on how much you will spend there. With all the great looking produce you can easily walk away with a ton of produce and a ding in your wallet. Which isn’t bad if you plan on preserving some of the produce. But if not, then it is important to have a limit and stick to it! Here is where my $20 went to and how I plan to use these ingredients.
NC Apples
8 apples from a NC orchard
- Apple Crumb Pie (Will include link when I can find this recipe)
- Snacking
- Collard Greens (Click here to view the recipe I use. I add 1 apple, chopped, at the same time as the garlic.)
Farmer's Market Goodies
6 pickling cucumbers
- Snacking
- Pasta Salad
2 heads of Boston lettuce
- Salads
1 bunch of swiss chard
- Salad
- Collard Greens (Click here to view the recipe I use. I add 1 to 2 cups chopped swiss chard with the collard greens.)
2 red bell peppers
- Collard Greens (Click here to view the recipe I use.)
- Pasta Salad
- Shrimp Quesadillas (Click here to view the recipe I use. I substitute 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper in place of jalapeno.)
And of course, our $3 bag of kettle popcorn!
Let me know what you are finding at your area Farmer’s Market (or perhaps in your very own garden)!
PS…The Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market has ended but the downtown Charleston Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings will run into December. If you haven’t been, check it out and take your kids. It’s a lot of fun!