Leverage Your Local Farmers Market

This week your challenge, or inspiration, can be found at your local farmer’s market.   For Megs, this is a simple and pure joy.  Florida has some of the best produce year round and usually this produce is by the road displayed in a cart or stand. As for us,  Rhode Island summer months signal the opening of the outside farmer’s market. I must add a side comment here - if you have never been to a little Rhody farmer’s market you are truly missing out.  I love Casey Farm Farmer’s Market on Boston Neck Road in Narragansett. The market is open Saturday AM and Tuesday night.

For  the naive farmers market goer it can be overwhelming. There is a stark contrast between an open air produce and meat market and the vast aisles of your local grocery store. One can feel a bit like an outsider in this environment. To prevent this feeling and to keep you coming back go with a plan and don’t forget your re-useable bags. For the first time visiting a market I suggest you plan on buying the ingredients for a simple salad: local cheese, honey and greens. Sounds very simple, but in truth you can find your soul at the bottom of a good bowl of greens.

Shopping list

Arugula
Spinach
Fresh parmesan cheese
Strawberries
Radishes
Sugar snap peas
Strawberry jam
Local Honey

You should be able to find all of these ingredients at your local farmers market.

Recipe

Wash and dry your greens throughly
Wash and slice your strawberries
Slice your radishes paper thin on a mandolin
Julienne your sugar snap peas

Combine ingredients in a large bowl

Season your salad with a pinch of salt and pepper

Dressing

Simple Vinaigrette:

1 Tbs strawberry jam
1/2 tsp honey
4 Tbs cold pressed olive oil
2 Tbs Balsamic Vinegar
pinch of salt and pepper

Combine ingredients and whisk together

Lightly dress the side of your bowl and mix greens with the vinaigrette. Use your hands and be gentle with your greens.

Don'’t overdress. You don'’t want the salad swimming in dressing.

Transfer to a white serving platter and  using a potato peeler top your salad with shaved Parmesan cheese.

You can also top this salad with grilled flank steak or grilled chicken breast.
Enjoy!