Spring is in full swing and the markets will soon be overflowing with locally grown fruits and vegetables. Here in Southern Westchester, we have so many ways to get the freshest local produce, whether from local farm stands, weekly farmers markets, co-ops, or through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Get the most out of the season’s bounty by following these tips at your local market.

Get to Know Your Local Growers

Visit your farmers markets and speak with the people who grow your food. Local food is usually fresher and tastes better because it hasn’t had to travel (usually it comes all the way from California!).

When it comes to fresh produce, organic is the best choice. After all, who wants chemical pesticide residues in their salad? However, organic can be expensive and not just for the consumer. Many small-scale farmers find it too costly to go through the organic certification, even though they may be using all (or primarily) organic growing practices. Inquire and ask questions, you may just find organically grown fruits and vegetables at a lower price!

Be Adventurous

Most farmers markets will have a listing of produce items and when they’ll become available. Take a lookahead and plan your shopping based on what’s fresh each week. If you see something new don’t shy away from it. Ask the grower for a sample and they may even share their favorite ways to cook it! If you find something that you just can’t get enough of, use it as an opportunity to stock your freezer or pantry for the colder months to come.

Make a Day of It

Besides being a community-gathering place where you’re likely to bump into friends and neighbors, many farmers markets host local musical acts, children’s activities and educational programs. Some markets also host vendors that offer fresh, made-to-order food prepared with the same local produce being sold that day. There are so many great reasons to visit your local market and so many more reasons to stay!

CSA’s

Another way to get the best local produce of the season is by joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Farmers set a price for a “Share” for the season and use the income to plant and Harvest all the crops. This entitles you to pick up your “share” of produce at a central location every week during the growing season. As a member of the CSA you also have the opportunity to take a tour of the Farm and even lend a hand in the fields. My family of four has been members for the past few years and we’ve found it to be plenty of food for a week of cooking. If you are cooking for one, consider finding a friend to split the share or ask about half-season shares if you plan to be away for part of the summer.

May your summer be a happy, healthy one!

 

 

One of my greatest pleasures in spring and summer is growing my own herb garden. Nothing delights me more while cooking, than opening the screen door with scissors in-hand to clip a few herbs. Herbs not only add beautiful colors, bright flavors and incredible fragrance to food, they provide medicinal benefits, too!

My very favorite herb must-haves are: basil, parsley, oregano, chives and rosemary. They all have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory powers. Some, like oregano, are also anti-bacterial. They all contain varying amounts of vitamins K, A, and folic acid.

Benefits of Herbs

The medicinal benefits come from naturally occurring phytochemicals (phyto meaning plant) in the herbs. You would need to eat large amounts of these herbs to reap their benefits, which is why in supplements they are dried and compacted. Although, eating them in smaller quantities is also beneficial.

The compounds are numerous:

• From basil: orientin, vicenin, eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral limonene and terpineol
• From rosemary:cineol, camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, and α-pinene
• From oregano: carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene, and caryophyllene
• From chives: thio-sufinites such as diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide and allyl propyl disulfide
• From parsley: myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene

Clipping Your Herbs

Clip them from the top; removing the flowers so that they do not go to seed. These flowers are edible and beautiful in salads or in a vase on the table.

The Many Uses of Herbs

• Finishing a dish with flavorful herbs adds freshness to a variety of foods – from salads to fish to berries.
• Add herbs at the end of the recipe to keep the fragrance and aromatic flavor intact.
• Use herbs as marinades in the preparation of vegetables, chicken, and fish dishes.
• A cold sauce made from parsley or basil mixed with garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.
• Make a pesto sauce with parsley instead of basil.
• Freshly chopped herbs are a great addition to any salad.
• Add basil or rosemary to your hot water with lemon in the morning.
• Add rosemary to your breakfast shake.
• To dessert sorbets – herbs are the kicker!

Do not limit your herbs to the few that I have mentioned. Have fun experimenting and exploring the wonderful uses of herbs this summer!

Check out our class calendar to learn more about our cooking class dates and times.