22 Fresh Summer Farmers’ Market Recipes to Make Use of Your Produce
Updated: Apr. 28, 2021Summer is a great time to find fresh produce at the farmers' market. Take advantage of seasonal fruits and vegetables with these recipes for sweet corn, zucchini, fresh berries, tomatoes and more.
Balsamic Green Bean Salad
Serve up those green beans in a whole new way! The tangy flavors and crunch of this eye-appealing side complement any special meal or holiday potluck. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Blueberry-Blackberry Rustic Tart
My dad would always stop the car on the side of the road in Maine and say, “I smell blueberries.” He had a pail ready. Then Mom would bake the wild berries in a cornmeal crust to make this homey tart. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Favorite Blackberry Cobbler
We grow blackberries on our farm that our family enjoys in pies, jams, jellies, and cobblers. I love to pull them out of the freezer in January and make this warm cobbler to enjoy summer’s sweetness. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
Strawberry Melon Fizz
Experimenting in the kitchen’s fun for me. That’s how I came up with this recipe—I adapted it from two different recipes I got from friends for a melon ball basket and for a sparkling beverage. —Teresa Messick, Montgomery, Alabama
Creamy Cantaloupe Pops
I make these delicious pops when the melons are ripening quickly in our cantaloupe patch. —Deanna Richter, Elmore, Minnesota
Freezer Sweet Corn
Whenever I serve this summertime go-to, people can’t believe that it’s frozen and not fresh. It stays crisp-tender and now I can have “fresh” corn any time of the year. —Judy Oudekerk, St. Michael, Minnesota
Crisp Cucumber Salsa
Here’s a fantastic way to use cucumbers. You’ll love the creamy and crunchy texture and super-fresh flavors. —Charlene Skjerven, Hoolpe, North Dakota
Quick Watermelon Cooler
Summer means cooling off with a slice of watermelon and a glass of cold lemonade. This combines two favorites in one. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Mom’s Peach Pie
A delightful summertime pie, this dessert is overflowing with fresh peach flavor. Each sweet slice is packed with old-fashioned appeal. The streusel topping makes this pie a little different than the ordinary and adds homemade flair. —Sally Holbrook, Pasadena, California
Spiced Plum Pie
The subtle tastes of orange and nutmeg bring out the fresh flavor of plums in this comforting pie. Be sure to have a slice while it’s still warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Lucille Mead, Ilion, New York
Yellow Summer Squash Relish
My friends can barely wait for the growing season to arrive so I can make this incredible relish. The color really dresses up a hot dog. —Ruth Hawkins, Jackson, Mississippi
Fresh Tomato Bruschetta
The topping for this simple Fresh Tomato Bruschetta appetizer can be put together ahead of time and refrigerated. We also love it on top of grilled chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, and homemade pizza. —Samantha Cass, Swartz Creek, Michigan
Gourmet Garden Tomato Salad
I came up with this invigorating salad at our weekly pool gatherings with friends. Each of us brings our own meat to grill and a side to share. This dish was definitely a hit. —Stacy Kibler, Centerville, Ohio
Zucchini Pizza Casserole
I grow zucchini by the bushel, so this pizza bake is one of my dinnertime go-to’s. My hungry husband and kids gobble it right up. —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Zucchini Cobbler
This cobbler is my surprise dessert! No one ever guesses that the “secret ingredient” is zucchini. Everyone says it tastes like apples. It’s great to make for a potluck supper or to serve a crowd. The recipe has been requested time and again in my house, and I’m always happy to make it. —Joanne Fazio, Carbondale, Pennsylvania
