Health & Fitness
Farmers Market: What's Ripe This Week
Fall crops are coming in, but summer favorites are still flourishing, plus what to do with all that basil.
BOULDER, CO - The end of summer in Colorado is the perfect time of year to eat local. Summer crops continue to flourish, while cool-weather treats like winter squash begin to ripen. Head to your nearest farmers market in Boulder, Denver, Lafayette or Longmont this weekend to take advantage of the huge variety of produce that we only get to enjoy a few weeks a year.
What's in: Lots of greens (cooler weather is bringing spinach back!), tomatoes, summer squash, herbs, beets, carrots, onions and garlic. Look for specialty crops like artichokes or eggplant from some vendors. For fruit, look forward to an increasing variety of apples, pears, and plums.
Don't miss out: Tomatoes are flourishing right now, but as soon as the first frost hits they will disappear. Try some of the unique heirloom varieties to impress your dinner guests. If you are into sauce or canning, ask your favorite farmer for seconds–many will sell bruised or overripe fruit at a discount.
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How to prepare: Preserve the flavors of summer by turning a plentiful basil crop into pesto. Freeze the flavorful sauce in small containers–or even ice cube trays–to keep enjoying that fresh flavor all year long. If you haven't made it before, it's super simple. In a food processor or blender, combine 2 cups of basil, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/3 cup pine nuts and three large cloves of garlic, minced. Blend until your sauce reaches a uniform consistency, then serve fresh with pasta (or local zucchini noodles!) or preserve for later. Feel free to scale the recipe up appropriately once you are hooked.
When and where:
Thursday - Lafayette, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m at 400 E. Simpson St.
Saturday - Boulder, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 13th St. between Arapahoe Ave. and Canyon Blvd
Denver, Union Station, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1701 Wynkoop St.
Longmont, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 9595 Nelson Rd.
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Photo credit: Mara Abbott/Patch
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