Princeton Found

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Food & Drink
  • Gift Guides
  • Humor
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Things to Do

If It Grows Together, It Goes Together

August 13, 2015 By Nirit Yadin

Farmers Market

Photo Credit – Nirit Yadin

Cooking from the farmers market is a play in creativity. You plan to make your favorite recipe, but you never know what you’ll find. Maybe the recipe calls for sweet tomatoes, but a wet week rendered them a little watery. Can you leave them out? Could you substitute peaches instead? If the dairy vendor is sold out, and you wanted to make a creamy corn soup, can you use broth instead?

If this sounds daunting, relax. Cooking with local ingredients is almost fool-proof. All you need to keep this mind is this: If it Grows Together, it Goes Together.

Strawberries and Arugula. Cilantro and poblanos. Sweet potatoes and pecans. Foods that pair deliciously together seem to spring up from the ground at the same time. This rule extends beyond the plant kingdom. It Italy, local cheese like Mozzarella pairs with basil and tomatoes. In Greece, fennel goes with feta cheese (think ouzo). Spring lamb is amazing braised with spring vegetables, and the list goes on.

Fresh Vegetables from Farmers Market

Photo Credit: Nirit Yadin

So if you trust Mother Nature, you’ll find that half the work of meal planning is done. Buy fresh, locally produced food, and mix and match. You’ll be surprised how well it all goes together.

I’ve had the privilege to work for two farmers market this season – the Pennington Farmers Market, and The

Fresh Bread from Farmers Market

Photo Credit: Nirit Yadin

Forrestal Village Farmers Markets. These markets boast fantastic vendors and gems that are hard to find elsewhere. Just a few examples: bone broths made with local ingredients; naturally fermented sauerkraut; gluten-free baked goods made with nuts and beans flours; fresh mozzarella just made by Chef Jim Weaver. You can also find grass-fed milk, yogurt, eggs, local beef and pork, cheese, bread, fruits, and veggies. In short, everything you need for a meal. Sign up for the Pennington and Forrestal markets’ mailing lists for a weekly report on what’s available each week.

So grab your bags, your smartphone (for recipes ideas) and go to market. And don’t forget that Mother Nature has already done the flavor pairing for you.

Having said that. Here are recipes for a complete meal from the farmers market. For more ideas and advice, you can always drop me a note. I’ll be happy to help.

Appetizers

Raw Sweet Corn Chowder

Mozzarella Tart

Watermelon-Feta Salad

Main

Tomato Stuffed Eggplants

Dessert

Peach-Blueberry Cobbler

Fresh Peaches from Farmers Market

Photo Credit: Nirit Yadin

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Food & Drink Tagged With: Farmers Market

Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Princeton Found and receive notifications of new posts by email. It will not be posted or shared.

Join 76 other subscribers

Search

Learn How to Save Money When You Order Online Using EBATES

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Humor

New York City Skyline at Sunrise

How in the World Did I End Up in Princeton?

How in the world did you end up in Princeton? This is the question I've been answering for the past … [Read More...]

  • Princeton Reunions Weekend to Bombard Town
  • How in the World Did I End Up in Princeton?

Things to Do in Princeton

Nassau Inn Lobby Two Lounge in Princeton, NJ

7 Ways to Combat the Winter Blues

Longer nights and lower temperatures can affect your mood. Coldness and darkness trigger the desire … [Read More...]

  • Memorial Day Weekend Parades, Fireworks, and More in Princeton
  • The Insider’s Guide to Nightlife in Princeton

Subscribe to Princeton Found via Email

In Princeton

Facebook Likes

Facebook Likes

Social

  • View Princeton Found’s profile on Facebook
  • View PrincetonFound’s profile on Twitter
  • View Princeton Found’s profile on Pinterest

Archives

About

  • About Princeton Found
Copyright © 2019
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.