Fourth of July Feasts

Barbecues, fireworks and fun in the sun are on the menu this Fourth of July, but so are plenty of dishes featuring fresh farmer's market ingredients.  While walking through the on Sunday I could already sense the anticipation in the air. Vendors attracted customers by strategically placing colorful summer vegetables and fruits at the front of their booths.

The most obvious choice for celebrating American independence this coming weekend is the red, white and blue potato salad made with fresh spuds from Weiser Family Farms, which shares a booth with Maggie’s Farm. You can grab a bag of Maggie’s colorful mixed greens with edible flowers and chopped herbs for an incredible green salad along with these patriotic potatoes from Weiser: French Fingerling (red), Russian Banana (white), and Purple Peruvian (blue).  The vendor said the idea was very popular last year and they expect the same crowd again.

Another obvious crowd pleaser at any summer celebration is watermelon.  Several vendors, including Gama Farms and Ha’s Apple Farm, are offering up irresistible watermelons.  I immediately think of the guilty pleasure of sitting under a tree devouring a giant wedge without a napkin in sight.  You can eat it plain or try your hand at this home version of the recent restaurant trend, grilled watermelon from Claire Robinson.

What better way to celebrate America than with the ultimate New World food, corn on the cob? Anita’s Fruits and Vegetables farm stand had customers hovering around the table as workers unloaded two crates of fresh corn. Prices were marked at the bargain cost of 3 for $2. Serve it plain (boiled for just 6 minutes) or grilled on the barbecue.  Try one of these succulent recipes this weekend:

tasty BBQ corn-on-the-cob or grilled corn on the cob

Of course it wouldn’t be a picnic without green beans in some form or another. The green bean casserole has come a long way since the 50s and the Fresno Evergreen farm stand offers up Kentucky Blue Lake beans or Chinese Yard-long beans for quick meals, hot or cold.  John Givens Farm also has organic green beans on sale.  Delish.com has nine great ideas for green beans that will have you coming back for seconds. 

And don’t forget dessert! The Sno:la booth has wholesome organic frozen yogurt in tempting flavors like pomegranate, chocolate, mango and Italian tart.  Sno:la makes its frozen yogurt in downtown Los Angeles, with fruit sugars and organic milk.  Grab a few toppings like organic gummi bears (a kid favorite), hazelnut streusel, organic granola, Amaretto cookie crumbs or roasted almonds.  You can also pick up a probiotic shake to wash down that green bean salad.  Just be sure to wait 30 minutes before showing off your famous cannonball in the pool.

Christy Wilhelmi is well known to many local Mar Vistans as The Gardenerd. Her website and blog at  www.gardenerd.com offers  information on classes, consulting and food-garden design.