The market relishes in all the colors dotting the aisles – Fruits and veggies are plentiful

#BeavertonFarmersMarket

With July heat brings a plentiful crop of fruits and vegetables to Market stalls. The Market relishes in all the colors dotting the aisles. Raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are making their debut alongside stone fruit. Leafy greens, green beans, fennel, cucumbers, zucchini and other summer squash are in abundance as well. Everyone’s favorite sight in the market are tomatoes — and those too are generous.

The Market Info Booth staff are always chatting away with customers about what’s in season and their favorite recipes. As temps increase these conversations shift to what to make with all this amazing produce that doesn’t heat up your house. The good news is that not much is needed to make many summer products shine! In fact, even a vibrant summer salad is a nice meal on a hot day. However, here’s some other ideas in case you tire of salads. Market Master, Ginger Rapport, has a crowd favorite for entertaining, but easily makes a great individual meal — tortilla soup bar! Souper Natural has some great soups to choose from, but the tortilla soup is a perfect summer meal. Heat up in the microwave and chop up a selection of toppings from the market: cherry tomatoes, cilantro, onions, and radishes, and finish off with tortilla chips.

Grilling is also another popular way of staying out of the kitchen. A light char on some vegetables as a side to grilled meat or seafood, or atop a grain bowl along with Danielle’s Sauces Chiliyaki sauce, a combination of sweet chili and teriyaki sauces or the Bibimbap Soss from Hoss Sos, whose exotic sweet and bold Korean flavors livens up any grain bowl.

Marketing Director, Kate Laubernds, shares a family favorite for summer: grilled vegetable naan or flatbread pizzas. This makes such a great healthy meal with summer produce and takes no time at all. Utilize market favorites like Hummus Stop pita bread or Pizza Crust Creations pizza skins as your base. Jimmy Tomato’s vegan marinade makes a great tomato base or one of Portland Fresh’s vegan pesto (they have two to choose from). Chop a selection of vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, and summer squash to grill and toss with olive oil and season. Grill vegetables until slightly softened and charred. Top pizzas with Cultured Kindness cream “cheese” or add fresh mozzarella and top with grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Return flatbread/pizzas to grill and grill until cheese melts a bit. See you at the market!

~ Ginger, Market Master

What’s in Season – July