Make Your Recipes Pop with Local Produce

"Wow, this blueberry cobbler is delicious," exclaimed one of my recent dinner guests. "What's your secret?"

"It's really no secret," I replied. "I just used fresh blueberries that I picked up from the Farmers Market today!"

Whether it's from a local Hopkinton farmers market, Colella's fresh produce section or your own backyard, using fresh, ripe, fruits and vegetables can put an extra "wow" factor into your summer recipes.

It is sometimes hard to judge just what fruits and vegetables are in season. I posed this question to a few patient, knowledgable, farmstand owners at the recently.

"Right now, there are a wide varitey of fruits and vegetables in season," said Laura Davis from Long Life Farm in Hopkinton.

"Squash, lettuce, onions, kale, tomatoes, radishes, green beans, peas, beets, peppers, and cucumbers are in season right now, and they are delicious," she continued.

"We just harvested our first batch of corn as well, and they taste really sweet," she said.

Casey and Sue Vandervalk from Vandervalk Tree Farm in Mendon displayed dozens of ripe blueberries, which I happily taste-tested and were delicious! Hint: Duke blueberries are sweeter, and Patriot blueberries are tangier.

"Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, and raspberries are all in season right now," said Sue.  "They are perfect for pies, cobblers and desserts."

I took Sue's advice and made a blueberry cobbler for dinner guests and they were delighted. Here is the recipe:

Blueberry Cobbler

2-1/2 cups fresh blueberries ( I used Duke)

1-teaspoon vanilla extract              4-teaspoons baking powder

1-cup white sugar                         6-tablespoons white sugar

1/2 lemon, juiced                          5-tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour       1-cup milk

1-tablespoon butter melted           2-teaspoons sugar

1-3/4 cups all purpose flour          1-pinch ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish. ( you can use a lasagna baking dish as well.) Place washed blueberries into the dish and mix with vanilla and lemon juice. Sprinkle with 1-cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of flour, sitr in the tablespoon of melted butter.

2. In a bowl, stir together 1-3/4 cups of flour, baking powder and 6 tablespoons sugar. Rub in the 5-tablespoons butter using a knife. Add 1-cup of milk and stir until batter is thick.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spoon the batter over the blueberries, leaving a few small holes for the berries to peek through. Mix together the cinnamon and 2-teaspoons sugar and sprinkle over the top.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let cool and warm before serving. Can serve with ice-cream or whipped cream.

From: www.allrecipes.com

Enjoy the best fruits and vegetables of the season!

The Weston Nurseries Farmers Market is held on Fridays from noon to 6 p.m.