What's the Best Time to Go to the Farmers Market?

We've got a secret for making the nigh of your next trip.

Grab your tote bag–it's farmers market time! The best markets in every state are super-easy to find and fall in love with. But you can make 'em even amend if y'all know exactly when to go. While in that location's no "wrong" time to hit the farmers market place, in that location's definitely an optimal time, and that's the last 60 minutes it'due south open. Here's why:

You become to conversation with farmers

I of the biggest thrills of hitting the farmers market is getting to rub elbows with the actual farmers. At the end of the day, equally the market place winds down, the vendors have more time to chat. And that gives you an opportunity to learn about where your food is coming from.

"The best part near interacting with the customs through farmers markets is making connections with customers who really appreciate what y'all do," says Marissa Lundin, who spent iii summers working at Centgraf Farms in Wisconsin. Farmers markets are all nearly connecting yous with local, sustainably grown food and the people who grow it.

Go ahead and buy annihilation the farmer recommends–here are 50 recipes to brand the most of your summer produce.

You find the all-time deals

Farmers markets are already a great spot to detect reasonably-priced local produce. You're not technically supposed to negotiate at farmers markets—here's why. But at the end of the day, the farmers/vendors are looking to articulate out their stalls, and may be willing to bring their prices downward.

Y'all might go home with a new recipe

Farmers often have recommendations for preparing their products, and late in the day, when they may be relaxed and accept time to conversation, you might go habitation with the perfect recipe for whatever y'all're ownership.

Seriously, this happened to me late in the day at a farmer'southward market near Hanover, New Hampshire. I was buying some lovely dark-green beans from the farmer who grew them, and I happened to mention that I was hoping to make a Tuna Nicoise salad but hadn't homed in on a recipe I liked. Next affair I knew, she was writing out her recipe on a scrap of paper!

While I'm not willing to give abroad that secret recipe only yet, I'm happy to share this gorgeous recipe for Veggie Nicoise Salad. And to sweeten the deal, here are 51 hearty recipes that are farmer-canonical.

Best Recipes for Farmers Market Finds

Mushroom Asparagus Quiche

Loads of asparagus pieces add together colour and flavor to this hearty, creamy quiche. And its like shooting fish in a barrel crescent scroll crust means you'll have dinner ready in a snap! —Sharon A. Fujita, Fontana, California

Kiwi-Strawberry Spinach Salad

This pretty strawberry kiwi salad is e'er a hit when I serve it! The recipe came from a cookbook, but I personalized it. Sometimes just a pocket-size change in ingredients can create a big departure. —Laura Pounds, Andover, Kansas

Rhubarb Custard Bars

Once I tried these rich, gooey bars, I but had to accept the recipe so I could make them for my family and friends. The shortbreadlike crust and the rhubarb and custard layers inspire people to notice rhubarb that they can use to ready a batch for themselves. —Shari Roach, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Spinach Pizza

This tasty pizza is so easy to ready. My family unit, including my young daughter, loves information technology. What an easy mode to make a delicious, veggie-filled meal! —Dawn Bartholomew, Raleigh, Northward Carolina

Mixed Greens with Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette

Simple and delicious, this champagne vinaigrette recipe pairs perfectly with mixed greens or a salad of your choice. —Ray Uyeda, Mountain View, California

Asparagus Ham Strata

Y'all can easily prepare this the dark before for a luncheon, or in the morn for dinner. I serve information technology twelvemonth-circular for large groups, like my bill of fare and garden clubs, and arrive for picnics and other occasions. About every fourth dimension I do, someone requests the recipe! —Ethel Pressel, New Oxford, Pennsylvania

Arugula Salad with Drupe Dressing

My family enjoys this refreshing salad during the spring and summer months. Sweet strawberries balance the slightly tart balsamic dressing. —Jennifer Kunz, Troy, Michigan

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

This tangy Strawberry Rhubarb Jam recipe is a favorite with my family. They'll put it on well-nigh annihilation, simply especially like it on muffins or buttermilk biscuits. —Deb Kooistra, Kitchener, Ontario

Marinated Asparagus with Blue Cheese

Asparagus marinated in vinaigrette and dotted with cheese makes an crawly side. Nosotros're blue cheese fans, only yous might like Parmesan or feta. —Susan Vaith, Jacksonville, Florida

Chicken, Pecan & Ruddy Salad

Already cooked chicken strips brand this a super easy meal when I'm trying to go dinner on the tabular array in a hurry. Grabbing a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is another road to take when time is short and hungry family members environs the tabular array! —Kellie Mulleavy, Lambertville, Michigan

Spinach-Parm Goulash

For those who ignore Popeye and won't eat their spinach, I discover that spinach with garlicky butter and Parmesan helps change their minds. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Rhubarb Strawberry Cobbler

Mom's yummy cobbler is a truly wonderful finale to any meal. This family favorite is sweet and tart, clogged of berries and rhubarb, and the thick crust is so easy to make. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington

Marinated Cheese-Topped Salad

A lovely vinaigrette coats this green salad that'south tossed with tomatoes, olives and marinated cream cheese 'croutons.' I freeze the foam cheese for 45 minutes or so to house it upwardly. This makes it easier to cut into cubes. —Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Flossy Carrot Goulash

My mom and I developed this recipe to run into if there was a carrot dish that fifty-fifty people who don't care for carrots would enjoy. So far, I oasis't met anyone who hasn't liked this casserole. —Laurie Heward, Fillmore, Utah

Spring Chicken and Pea Salad

My endive, radicchio and chicken salad with a dash of mint jelly dressing makes a wonderful repast for a lunch or light dinner. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Winnie'due south Mini Rhubarb & Strawberry Pies

Every spring, nosotros had strawberries and rhubarb on our farm outside Seattle. These fruity hand pies remind me of those times and of Grandma Winnie'due south baking. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California

Parmesan Asparagus

Cipher could be more simple than this side dish. Since it has just iv ingredients, I get together it in no time, then pop it into the oven for about fifteen minutes. It turns out perfect every time. —Mary Ann Marino, West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Turkey Spinach Salad with Cranberry-Raspberry Dressing

A colorful way to keep celebrating, this dish works as an entree or a side salad. If you don't want to use macadamia nuts, attempt fried wonton strips.—Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota

Garden Veggie Egg Broil

Looking for a healthy mean solar day-starter? Children volition actually enjoy eating their veggies when they're baked into this cheesy, nutrition-packed egg dish. —JoAnne Wilson, Roselle Park, New Jersey

Parmesan, Walnut & Arugula Baskets

Want to impress your guests? Serve up salad in crispy Parmesan baskets and just watch the reaction! —Anna Maria Wharton, Staten Island, New York

Rhubarb-Pineapple Crisp

Nosotros grow our ain rhubarb, and I enjoy using it in new recipes. When I kickoff tried this fruity well-baked years ago, I thought the tangy pineapple would be too much. I was pleasantly surprised! —Judy Schut, G Rapids, MI

Asparagus with Horseradish Dip

This is a bully hot weather condition party dip. Serve asparagus on a decorative platter with lemon wedges on the side for garnish. A great flavor variation is to use chopped garlic in place of the horseradish. —Mildred Lynn Caruso, Brighton, Tennessee

Farm Fresh Quiche

Going to the farmers market and talking with people who work on the subcontract inspires me to make recipes like this one, a quiche loaded with veggies. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland

Perfect Rhubarb Pie

Nada hides the tangy rhubarb in this lovely pie, which has simply the correct residuum of sweet and tart. Serving this dessert is a overnice way to celebrate the terminate of winter! — Ellen Benninger, Greenville, Pennsylvania

Spinach Mushroom Enchiladas

Lime, cilantro and Monterey Jack cheese lend Mexican flavors to this veggie-filled version of a existent crowd-pleaser. —Evangeline Bradford, Erlanger, Kentucky

Marmalade Candied Carrots

My favorite mode to brand baby carrots is to steam them, then drizzle with an orangey coat that makes them candy-sugariness. —Heather Clemmons, Supply, North Carolina

Garden Risotto

With asparagus, spinach and peas, this simple side adds spectacular flavour and tons of health benefits from light-green veggies. Add some Parmesan cheese, and you've got one delectable dish! —Kendra Doss, Kansas City, Missouri

Rhubarb Swirl Cheesecake

I love cheesecake and my hubby loves chocolate, so this is a favorite dessert of ours. The rhubarb adds a tartness that complements the sweet flavors and then well.—Carol Witczak, Tinley Park, Illinois

Asparagus Phyllo Bake

I'm Greek and grew upward wrapping everything in phyllo. When asparagus is in flavor, I bring out the phyllo and start baking. —Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Scottsdale, Arizona

Dill & Chive Peas

Growing my own vegetables and herbs helps keep things fresh in the kitchen, but frozen peas make this side is a breeze to set up. —Tanna Richard, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

Here's a fruity spinach salad that fifty-fifty the kids will devour. The pretty strawberry drizzle peps up the greens nicely. —Carrie Sherrill, Forestville, Wisconsin

Classic Carrot Cake

I entered this yummy, moist cake in a Colorado Outfitters Clan dessert contest. My carrot cake with pineapple earned get-go place! —Cheri Eby, Gunnison, Colorado

Pineapple-Rhubarb Jam

Rhubarb, pineapple and strawberry make an awesome jam that brings back memories of living on a farm and growing my own rhubarb. —Debbi Barate, Seward, Pennsylvania

Carrot Raisin Salad

This colorful traditional salad is i of my mother-in-police force's favorites. It's fun to swallow because of its crunchy texture, and the raisins give it a slightly sweetness flavor. Plus, the dish is easy to prepare. —Denise Baumert, Dalhart, Texas

Asparagus and Red Pepper Frittata

What a tasty way to get-go a morning! This frittata is enriched with asparagus, potatoes, peppers, herbs and a wonderful alloy of cheeses. Serve with a side of seasonal fruit. —Toni Donahue, Westerville, Ohio

Roasted Carrot Chips

Plow carrot sticks into fun "fries" with a happier health profile past popping them in the oven and serving them fry-style. —Sense of taste of Dwelling Test Kitchen

Strawberry Brunch Bruschetta

Try this sweet bruschetta for a brunch or indulgent weekend breakfast. The caprine animal cheese, fresh herbs and strawberries make a blissful combination.—Johanna Hauer, Kennebunk, Maine

Fresh Cherry Pie

If you're looking to learn how to brand a cherry pie, this recipe is the place to starting time. This carmine-red cherry pie is merely sweet enough, with a hint of almond flavor and a proficient level of cinnamon. The cherries peeking out of the lattice crust makes it so pretty, too. I like to make a few of these cherry pies throughout the summertime. —Josie Bochek, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Lemon Almond Asparagus

I dearest this timesaving way to wearing apparel upwardly fresh asparagus. Drizzle butter and lemon juice over the spears before topping them with almonds and lemon zest strips. —Linda Barry, Yakima, Washington

Over-the-Top Cerise Jam

We live in Door County, an area known for its wonderful tart cherries. This beautiful, sweet jam makes lovely gifts. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Bluish Cheese and Blueberry Tossed Salad

In this deliciously different salad, fresh herbs mingle with arugula to create a flavorful bed for ripe blueberries and crunchy almonds. Drizzled with raspberry vinaigrette, it's simply divine! —Diane Davis, Venice, Florida

Creamed Garden Potatoes and Peas

New potatoes and peas are treated to a flossy sauce for this special side. —Jane Uphoff, Cunningham, Kansas

Sauteed Orange-Glazed Baby Carrots

Here's a wonderful accompaniment to merely well-nigh any main dish, whether for a vacation or not. The carrots are sauteed in a sugariness orangish butter sauce with a unique blend of spices. —Angela Bartow, Cato, Wisconsin

Ravioli with Snap Peas & Mushrooms

Topped with the toasty texture and flavor of hazelnuts, this pasta makes an easy, earthy weeknight dinner. I serve information technology with an herb and lettuce salad and white wine. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Embankment, Florida

Minted Beet Salad

We take neighbors who share vegetables from their garden, and every twelvemonth my husband and I look forward to their beets. My interest in Mediterranean nutrient inspired this beet salad recipe—the vinegar and oil dressing with fresh mint will tone downwardly the sweetness of the beets, and the kalamata olives add a salty affect. —Barbara Estabrook, Appleton, Wisconsin

Minty Carbohydrate Snap Peas

Fresh mint adds a lively bear upon to cooked sugar snap peas. It's also squeamish on green beans or carrots. —Alice Kaldahl, Ray, North Dakota

Ravishing Radish Salad

Here is a recipe that showcases leap veggies in all of their celebrity. The fresh, crunchy radish salad really complements grilled entrees. —Maggie Ruddy, Altoona, Iowa

Spinach-Cheddar Crescent Bites

My thought for mini stuffed rolls came to heed on the solar day of a holiday gathering. The little gold bites were then pop at the party, they've been on my seasonal carte du jour e'er since! —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida

Creamy Radish Dip

This Scandinavian dish is ane of our favorite spring appetizers. We employ homegrown onions and radishes. —Terri Chatfield, Hamilton, Ohio

Winning Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie

While being raised on a farm I often ate rhubarb, then it's natural for me to use it in a pie. I adopt to employ lard for the flaky pie crust and sparse, red rhubarb stalks for the filling. These ii niggling secrets helped this recipe win summit honors at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. —Marianne Carlson, Jefferson, Iowa

Creamy Reddish Potato Salad

We love red potatoes for color and shape in a perfect combo with radishes, green onions and a touch of vinegar. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota

Sauteed Radishes with Greenish Beans

I've heard radishes are the but vegetable y'all don't cook, just a cookbook from the 1950s disagrees. Light-green beans and wax beans round out this dish. —Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri

Citrus-Tarragon Asparagus Salad

I created this colorful salad when I was invited to a friend's Easter egg hunt and potluck picnic. The guests were begging to get my recipe. Let the flavors infuse overnight for the best taste. —Cheryl Magnuson, Apple Valley, California

Cumin-Roasted Carrots

Carrots brand a super side—big on flavor and a cakewalk to cook. Plus, I can actually get my husband to eat these fragrant, deeply spiced veggies. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida

Raspberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

Slab pie is a pastry baked in a jelly-ringlet pan and cut into slabs like a bar cookie—or a pie bar, if you will. My grandad was a professional baker and served pieces of slab pie to his customers dorsum in the mean solar day. Here is my spin, featuring rhubarb and gorgeous crimson raspberries. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Asparagus Pastry Puffs

When the first asparagus of the season appears, we serve information technology rolled inside puff pastry with a yummy cheese filling. Our guests always compliment these lovely treats. —Cindy Jamieson, Tonawanda, New York

Best Ever Fresh Strawberry Pie

Next time you lot become a pint or ii of perfectly ripe strawberries, make my favorite pie. It combines fresh berries and a lemony cream cheese layer. If you're in a hurry, use a pre-made pie shell. —Janet Leach, Granger, Washington

Spinach-Stuffed Craven Pockets

With their creamy filling and delightful crispy chaff, these elegant entrees are easy enough for weeknights, yet special enough for company, too. —Taste of Domicile Test Kitchen

Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

My family unit is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the tabular array. If strawberries aren't available, substitute mandarin oranges and stale cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Strawberries & Foam Torte

This festive strawberries and cream summer care for is one of my mom'southward favorites. Information technology wows guests every fourth dimension yet is simple to make. —Cathy Branciaroli, Wilmington, Delaware

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/the-best-time-to-go-to-the-farmers-market/

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