what's in season | June

The farmer's market really starts beginning to pick up in June, and I couldn't really be more excited! 

{not the best quality since it was taken on my phone (strawberries from the in-laws, onions, beeswax, and greens}

The market is getting more and more crowded the later you come so to get the best produce, go before 9:30 AM.  Here's what to look for in Kentucky this month:

Asparagus (I didn't see much last week, and it is winding down according to some of the farmers I spoke with)

Beans (type varies)

Beets

Blackberries (late June)

Blueberries

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Cucumbers

Eggplant (late June)

Greens (type varies)

Kohlrabi

Lettuce

Okra (late June)

Green onions

Peaches (late June)

Peas

Radishes

Raspberries

Summer squash

Strawberries (early June)

Turnips

What are you most looking forward to eating?  I can't decide, but I do LOVE peaches!

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what's in season | May

Yay May!  Local produce is beginning to make its way to the market, and I couldn't be more excited! 

 {My mom buying local asparagus over the weekend}

Here's what you should look for at your farmer's market:

Asparagus (already eating tons and have a recipe to share tomorrow!)
Greens
Lettuce
Kohlrabi (end of May)
Green onions
Peas (beginning mid-May)
Radishes
Strawberries (beginning mid-May)
Turnips (end of May)

Have you been to your local market lately?  I personally cannot wait for strawberries to come in because I have a strawberry-rhubarb soda I am dying to make for my mom!Pin It

what's in season | April

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for spring!  This winter has been especially cold, snowy, and gray.

{picture from last year}

I have a feeling that my mom and I will start heading to the farmer's market this month.  If nothing else, to see some green since everyone will be selling seedlings and small plants.

Although not much is in season here in Kentucky, there are a few items:

Asparagus (late April)
Greens (late April)
Radishes (late April)

I have some asparagus recipes in mind because it's one of my favorite vegetables!  May adds a few more to the list, but local produce will pick up with June.

Will you be planting or heading to the market this month?

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What's in Season | October

October is when the fresh produce starts to wind down, but there are still some items like squashes and greens left.

[I couldn't resist getting this delicious kale!  It was on sale for $1.50 per pound!}

This list is not inclusive, and every year is different.  I would talk to farmers to see when these items will be ready if you are looking for specific items.  However, the following produce should be available from Kentucky farmers in October:

Apples
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Greens
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Onions (green)
Pears
Pumpkins
Radishes
Sorghum
Squash (winter)
Turnips

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What's in Season | September

One of the new series that I wanted to start doing was a look at what's in season by month.  I know that I am always asking and looking for what's in season in Kentucky so this can help you when you shop at your local farmer's markets!

{Lexington Farmer's Market in Cheapside Park}

This list is not inclusive, and every year is different.  I would talk to farmers to see when these items will be ready if you are looking for specific items.  However, the following produce should be available from Kentucky farmers in September:

Apples
Beans (until mid-September)
Beets
Blackberries
Brussel Sprouts
Cantaloupe (until mid-September)
Sweet Corn
Cucumbers (although I had a hard time finding any because farmers said they dried up in this heat)
Eggplant
Grapes
Greens
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Okra (until mid-September)
Onions (white)
Pawpaws (if you've never had one--try it!  Pawpaws are native to KY)
Peas
Peppers
Plums (until mid-September)
Potatoes
Pumpkins (will start late September, and I CANNOT WAIT!)
Radishes (late September)
Raspberries
Sorghum
Squash (summer and winter)
Tomatoes
Turnips (late September)
Watermelon

I've already been eating local apples, and let me tell you, The Hubby and I are hooked!  I get a different type every time, and he always says, can you get those green ones again?  (Which green ones?!)  I always grab peppers, onions, and tomatoes.  I haven't seen Brussel sprouts, berries, plums, or pawpaws around the market, but the squashes are definitely coming in! 

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Marinated Vegetable Salad

Summer is all about fresh produce so when I stumbled across this marinated vegetable salad, I knew I had to try it.  I made this salad completely from produce at the farmer's market.  It was a hit with the hubby and my mom.

 {Marinated Vegetable Salad}

 {Mixing up the salad; I stirred it about 2-3 times in the first 24 hours}

 {Marinated Vegetable Salad side view}

One year ago:  Spice Rubbed Pork Chops

Marinated Vegetable Salad
from Paula Dean

Serves 8

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cups cauliflower florets
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 cup bottled cherry peppers, halved
3 medium zucchini, cut into bite-size pieces
3 carrots, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
1 small onion, thinly sliced

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, oregano, thyme, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. 
2. In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, cherry pepper halves, zucchini, carrots, and onion.
3. Pour the dressing mixture over the vegetables, tossing gently to coat. 
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours, stirring occasionally. 
5. Serve with a slotted spoon. 

I mean--look at that salad!  It's so beautiful and colorful!  The dressing really allows the vegetables to shine, and it's light and refreshing.  How could you NOT want to make it and eat it all summer?  This salad was gone within 24 hours at my house!

Do you have a go-to summer salad with fresh produce?

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Summer Pasta

This recipe was not only delicious, but it was also fast and easy!  Originally this recipe was vegetarian, but my hubby has to have meat so I added some chicken at the beginning.  I'd have eaten this without the chicken!  I used ingredients from my local farmer's market (yay!  we finally have tomatoes and all kinds of other produce!).  I got a load of produce from my in-laws over the weekend so the hubby and I are up to our ears in fresh vegetables, not that I'm complaining!

 {Summer Pasta}

 {A one pot meal?  No brainer!}

 {Love that the pasta starch essentially makes its own creamy sauce!}

 {Summer Pasta no garnish}

One year ago:  Garlic and Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Summer Pasta
adapted from Barefeet in the Kitchen

Makes 4 servings

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound chicken (optional)
1 large onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
8 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
4 cups broth
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot; if using chicken then add it and cook through.
2. Add remaining except basil and cheese to pot.
3. Cook until pasta is al dente; the pasta should let off some starch to make the sauce thick!
4. Add basil right before service.
5. Serve with cheese.

 If you haven't yet, head over to your local farmer's market and take a look around!  I dare you to not walk out of there with something!  It's really cheap too!  I can get produce and flowers for $40 a week (and the flowers last two weeks)!  Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE the farmer's market?

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Pasta with Garlicky Broccoli Rabe

This past weekend, I didn't have anything planned for lunch so when I went to the Farmer's Market, I bought pasta from Lexington Pasta and some broccoli rabe from a local farmer to make a recipe I'd been dying to make from smitten kitchen.  I didn't get pictures because my hands were full of flowers and my god-dog that would not listen to me, but I'll be better about it in the future!

 {Pasta with Garlicky Broccoli Rabe}

 {Pasta from Lexington Pasta and broccoli rabe from a local farmer}

 {Heating garlic and pepper flakes}

  {Pasta with Garlicky Broccoli Rabe with cheese}

One year ago:  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frozen Yogurt

Pasta with Garlicky Broccoli Rabe
from smitten kitchen

Makes 4 servings

1 pound pasta, whatever shape you like

1 pound broccoli rabe, heavy stems removed, remaining stems and leaves cut into 1- to 2-inch sections
1/2 cup olive oil
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more or less to taste
Parmesan cheese

1. Bring a huge pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and five minutes before its cooking time is up, add the broccoli rabe. It will seem like too much for the water, but with a stir or two, the rabe should wilt and cook alongside the pasta. 
2. Drain rabe and pasta together and pour into serving bowl. 
3. In the same pot or a tiny one, heat the olive oil with the garlic and pepper flakes over moderate heat, stirring frequently for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the garlic becomes lightly golden. 
4. Pour mixture over pasta and toss to evenly coat. 
5. Shower with cheese and eat at once.

If you don't have broccoli rabe, you can definitely substitute spinach for it!  The recipe would be just as delicious!  In fact, I might go try some this weekend!

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Food for Thought

{Gourds at the Farmer's Market}

Even though we change, and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're still not friends.

~Anonymous

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About the Town: Cookin' Up Kentucky

Welcome to a new Tuesday mini-series!  Tuesdays will switch between Tips and About the Town (whichever is available that week!) starting today.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

I know that I said that I don't go out to eat often, but this year has been an exception.  I have eaten at so many fantastic places (and been back more than once!) that I felt I needed to share with my fellow Lexingtonians!  So any time I go out to eat, and the food/service is great, I'll review it on here.  I am not paid for this, and all opinions are my own!

At the farmer's market this past weekend, I walked past a food stand and saw lavander lemonade.  I love lavander but not in my food (lavander cookies--gross).  However, my mom and I decided to eat there because she was up to try the lemonade.  We ate from Cookin' Up Kentucky which utilizies local foods and is only located and open during the farmer's market.

{The menu.  I was going to get a picture of the tent, but there was a line of hungry people!}

So what did we order?  Well, the lavander lemonade, breakfast burrito, the Sandwich, and bratwurst (we are German--we know good bratwurst).

{The food}

The verdict--absolute deliciousness!!!  Even the lemonade!  We couldn't pick a favorite!  The breakfast burrito was spicy but not hot, and the flavors were interesting--I never thought of putting cilantro, lime and sour cream with a breakfast burrito!  The Sandwich had a garlic pesto aioli that we wanted to try, and with a fried green tomato and bacon--just awesome!  The bratwurst had a cabbage/apple slaw on it that we weren't sure about, but it ended up being delicious!

Do you have any local Lexington suggestions?  I'd love to hear!

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Farmer's Market

This is the first year that I have gone to my local Farmer's Market.  WOW!!!  What a treasure!  How could I have been missing this?!

My mother and I head there every Saturday morning to buy local fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy, and meat.  I have always loved farm fresh eggs, and I can't wait to have some chickens!  (Yes, Ben and I want a small farm some day!)  This week, I bought fresh milk to make cheese for homemade pizza (coming to the blog later!) with my best friend who is coming up for the weekend visit. 

We also found this lovely looking rhubarb!

I know what some of you are thinking--RHUBARB?! YUCK!!!  I thought so too, but my mother loves it.  So being the baker of the family, she bought it and begged me to make it into something yummy for afternoon coffee (yes--she does this often!).  **HINT:  I see a rhubarb-related post coming soon!**

Along with local produce, growers and farmers of all sorts come to sell their wares.  Beekeepers sell honey and bee pollen (a supplement--did not know that!).  Musicians play; knitters sell already made scarves, hats, and other clothes.  A flower farm sells made bouquets and choose-your-own flowers.  The roses were lovely and large in pinks, creams, and a soft lilac I had never seen before.  (I can see these as the flowers for my wedding! ;o) )

Do you go to your local farmer's market?  If you don't, I encourage you to do it at least once this summer!  Who knows?  You might get as addicted as me!

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