Local farmers markets offer a wide array of fresh, tasty ingredients to use in your home cooking. Check out these tips from Douglas Katz, owner of Fire Food and Drink, Zhug and Chimi, on how to get the most out of market fruits and veggies. The North Union Farmers Market at Shaker Square is a great place to start. “It’s a really fun urban market, and I love all the farmers that come to it,” Katz says. “It’s the reason I got into local farm food.”
Corn
Sweet corn, in season from July to October, makes a nice base for succotash, Katz says. Any vegetable or meat makes a great addition to a succotash, but Katz recommends adding beans, peppers, jalapeno and onion. “You could even add your favorite spice and a little bit of butter,” he says. “Some toasted cumin or even just fresh herbs like oregano or chives.”
Mushrooms
Sauteed mushrooms and steak pair great for dinner, and Katz recommends a bison ribeye steak from your nearest market. Pick up some local wine, as well to add a little extra flavor. “You could put butter on the steak and then a drizzle of wine reduction, and it would make a nice, simple sauce,” Katz says.
Peas
Sauteed peas and other veggies, such as pearl onions or scallions, makes for a great side dish. It also pairs well with steak, Katz says, and adding some herb bumps it up a notch. “Whether it’s thyme or some tarragon and some butter, maybe a squeeze of lemon, that would make a great side,” he says.
Cherries
Market fruits lend themselves nicely to summer desserts. Try making a sweet cherry syrup to add to your favorite cake. “Almond cake would be nice in the summer, or angel food cake. Put that on top with a little bit of whipped cream,” Katz says.
Peaches
Likewise, peaches make a great addition to light summer cakes. They would even make a great topping for local ice cream, Katz says. “Even a little bit of thyme would be interesting with the peaches, and some local wine,” he says.
Check out the list below for just a few of the local farmers markets offering fresh produce this summer.
Chagrin Falls Market
North Franklin Street and North Main Street, Chagrin Falls
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays
northunionfarmersmarket.org/markets/chagrin-falls
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Carnegie Avenue and East 100th Street, Cleveland
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays
northunionfarmersmarket.org/markets/cleveland-clinic-main-campus
Coit Road Farmers Market
15000 Woodworth Road, East Cleveland
8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays
coitmarket.org
Countryside Farmers Market at Highland Square
1175 W. Exchange St., Akron
4-7 p.m. Thursdays
countrysidefoodandfarms.org/highland-square
Crocker Park Market
Crocker Park Boulevard, Westlake
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
northunionfarmersmarket.org/markets/crocker-park
Frostville Museum Farmers Market
24101 Cedar Point Road, North Olmsted
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays
frostvillefarmersmarket.com
Good Earth Urban Farm Stand
9600 Madison Ave., Cleveland
3-7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays
goodearth.today
Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market
16906 Albers Ave., Cleveland
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays
westparkkamms.org/market
Legacy Village Market
25389 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays
northunionfarmersmarket.org/markets/legacy-village
Mentor Farmers Market
7967 Mentor Ave., Mentor
2-6 p.m. Fridays
cityofmentor.com
Ohio City Farm Stand
Behind Riverview Tower, West 24th Street and Bridge Avenue, Cleveland
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays
ohiocityfarm.com
Pinecrest Market
200 Park Ave., Beachwood
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays
northunionfarmersmarket.org/markets/pinecrest-market
Shaker Square Market
13029 Shaker Square, Cleveland
8 a.m.-noon Saturdays
northunionfarmersmarket.org/markets/shaker-square-2
Sunset Market at the Van Aken District
2401 Tuttle Road, Shaker Heights
4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays
northunionfarmersmarket.org/markets/sunset-market-at-the-van-aken-district
Tremont Farmers Market
Lincoln Park, West 14th Street, Cleveland
4-7 p.m. Tuesdays
experiencetremont.com/featured-events/farmers-market