Favorite Fruits and Veggies to Buy at the Farmers' Market

Image courtesy of Maryland Farmers' Market Association

Farmers' markets are a great way to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.  The fruits and vegetables at a farmers' market are picked right from the plant and taken to the market.  The produce at the farmers' market is always in season.  You can be sure they will be fresh and delicious!  Since there are many fruits and vegetables to buy at the market, it can be hard to know which ones will be the best buy for you and your family.  Here are five favorite foods to buy at the farmers' market.

Tomatoes
There are many shapes and sizes of tomatoes.  All of them can be used in a lot of meals.  Tomatoes from local farms taste better because they are fresh.  Tomatoes also have antioxidants to keep you healthy.  Pair them with zucchini and have a healthy side dish.  Check out the Zucchini and Tomatoes recipe from a previous blog post!

Berries
Strawberries and blueberries are a great summer treat!  They are better to buy at the farmers' market because they are in season and can be grown in Maryland.  Berries have many vitamins and minerals that are good for you, too!  Make them part of your breakfast with a Red Berry Parfait!

Carrots
At the grocery store you will most likely find orange carrots.  At the farmers' market, they come in many different colors and sizes.  Carrots also make the perfect on-the-go snack!  Add carrots to your "Garden on a Plate", which is a great recipe that kids can help to make. 

Onions
Onions can be used in hot meals or raw on a salad.  Onions are great to use to add flavor to your meals. There are a variety of onions with different flavors, shapes, and colors.  Try grilling them to bring out the flavors!

Zucchini
Zucchini is in-season and tastes best in the summer.   It can be used in hot dishes or eaten raw.  Zucchini can be put into salads, soups, and stir-fries.  This is an easy way to add veggies to your meal. 

Ask a farmer if you do not know which fruits or vegetables will be best for you.  Farmers know a lot about the fruits and vegetables they grow and sell, so think of them as the produce experts.  Farmers' markets are a great way to try new fruits and vegetables too.  Next time you are at your local farmers' market, pick something up you have not had before!

To find the local farmers' market near you, visit the Maryland Farmers' Market page.