Bowie Patch food columnist: College Park Farmers Market "one of the largest fresh produce displays"

The boasts one of the largest fresh produce displays I’ve seen outside of a supermarket. You can also enjoy live music—the  Clarinet Choir was last week’s musical guest—assorted breads and baked goods and plants.

Produce powerhouse Miller Farms offers a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables ranging from watermelon to peaches, tomatoes, corn and apples.  You can get your fill of freshly-baked, artisan breads, croissants and cookies from the Uptown Bakery and Mildred’s Bakery stands and find plants and cut flowers to add to your garden from other vendors.

The College Park market is held every Saturday through November 19^th from 7 a.m. to noon. The market’s located at 5211 Paint Branch Parkway, in the parking lot of the Herbert Wells Ice Rink/.

I picked up a perfectly-ripe cantaloupe and a pint of juicy blackberries and headed home to make this refreshing fruit salad:

Canteloupe & Blackberry Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Serves 4 – 6.

6 cups baby greens

2 cups cubed canteloupe or use a melon baller to create rounds

1 pint blackberries, rinsed and patted dry

¼ cup toasted pecans, finely chopped

¼ cup crumbled goat cheese

For Dressing:

2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

3 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Prepare the dressing:

Whisk the vinegar, honey and olive oil together in a small bowl. Season the dressing with salt and pepper and set aside.

Toss the greens, cantaloupe and blackberries together in a large bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss until evenly coated. Arrange salad on plates and sprinkle with pecans and goat cheese.  Serve immediately.

Editor's Note: A recently started in College Park. It is held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays in the parking lot of City Hall, 4500 Knox Road.