It’s this week’s “Farm Fresh Now!” Installment, and what a treat it is! There are four recipes for the price of one. But here’s the rub. I was late posting this. I should have posted this before the 4th, because these ideas would have been great for your BBQs, and definitely what the chefs and folks at The Land Connection intended (I know, I’m sorry.) But truthfully these seasonal recipes would be wonderful for any BBQ this summer. So the way I rationalize my “OOPS! I am posting this late!” is that these are perfect all summer long. So there. Now go make some mint soda. It’s probably taking over your yard anyway…as it is mine. I hope you had a great 4th!
Seeking out food from your local farmers is a patriotic thing to do. Fresh fruits and vegetables connect us in a literal and visceral way to our land, and buying them is good for our local farmers and local economy. And they taste great, and are good for you, too.
So this year, declare your independence from high-fat, high-sugar crackers, chips, dips, cookies, and other processed foods. Swap them out for low-calorie, high-nutrition fruits and vegetables from local farms, and this will be your best Fourth ever!
From cool drinks to grilled vegetable side dishes to grilled peaches for desert, here are four ways to add fresh local foods to your celebration.
Cool Mint SodaMint is an all-time favorite for keeping cool in the summer, but chamomile, or lemon verbena, or any herb that strikes your fancy will also work in this recipe. Double it if you’re expecting a crowd.
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped
Mint sprigs for garnishing
Sparkling water
Instructions
1. Make simple syrup by dissolving the sugar in the water in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Turn the heat off and stir in the chopped mint leaves. Let sit for a couple of minutes. When the mixture is cool, strain the mint leaves out.
3. Add two to four tablespoons (to taste) of the mint syrup to a glass of sparkling water. Add a mint sprig as a garnish.
Grilled Stuffed Peppers
Use red, yellow, or green bell peppers, or Italian or Hungarian sweet peppers.
Ingredients
3 sweet peppers, halved
8 oz mozzarella cheese (sliced)
1 large tomato, chopped
6 sprigs basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive Oil
Instructions
1. Cut each pepper in half and remove seeds. Fill each pepper with the chopped tomato, and drizzle olive oil over the top of the tomatoes.
2. Add a slice of mozzarella on top of the tomatoes, and then add a dash of salt and pepper and a sprig of basil.
3. Place the filled pepper halves on a hot grill, but not directly over the flame. Cover and grill for about 30 minutes, or until the pepper is soft.
Parsley Pesto Potatoes, Grilled
Herb pesto is quick and easy to make in a food processor. Make a double batch, and use the extra on crackers or sandwiches.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh parsley, removed from the stems
1 cup pecans (you can substitute walnuts or pine nuts)
¼ cup hard cheese such as romano, grated
¼ cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
1 to 2 pounds small new potatoes (or large potatoes cut into chunks)
Instructions
1. To make the parsley pesto, put all the ingredients, except the potatoes, into a food processor and blend until well mixed.
2. In a large mixing bowl, toss the potatoes with the pesto.
3. Place the potatoes on a piece of foil on a hot grill, away from the direct flame. Cover the grill and cook until tender, about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. When you can easily pierce them with a fork, they’re done.
Grilled Peaches with Tart Cherries
While the grill is still hot, make this quick, easy, and delicious dessert. If you have a big group, slice up some local watermelons, muskmelons, and honeydew melons on the dessert table alongside these peaches.
Ingredients
3 peaches
1 cup tart cherries, pitted
½ cup honey
Olive oil
Instructions
1. Cut the peaches in half and remove the pits. Coat the peaches in olive oil. If you have a citrus-infused olive oil, that is particularly nice!
2. Fill each peach half with some cherries, and drizzle with honey.
3. Place the peaches on the medium-hot grill for 10 to 15 minutes, or until soft.
Seasonal Cook’s Notes: Let food freedom ring! What are you cooking up with local foods for the Fourth? Send us your photos and links to the recipes you used, and we’ll share them with our 1,000+ Facebook followers. If you’d like to include your name, location, and a caption for your photo, we’ll share that as well. Send to Amanda@thelandconnection.org.
The best way to enjoy healthy, seasonal produce is to buy it from your local community farmer. To locate the farmers‘ market or CSA nearest you, or visit www.localharvest.org.
Farm Fresh Now! is a project of The Land Connection, an educational nonprofit that preserves farmland, trains new farmers, and connects people with great locally-grown foods. This series is made possible with generous support from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Article b
Flora is an award-winning creative director in Chicago turned food and lifestyle blogger extraordinaire. She is also author to the popular BEE NATIVE! gardening book series and various children's books that celebrate the wonder and hard work of bees and butterflies. Her blog and social spaces inspire thousands to create, learn, cook, grow, and craft, making their world lovelier one pixel/petal/seed/bite/stitch/brushstroke at a time. Follow her on all the social spaces, YouTube, and Amazon, and get creative!
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