6 Must-Try Summer Farmers’ Market Favourites for Healthy Eating

SEPTEMBER 2022

I’ve already talked about the reasons why I love farmers’ markets so much. Today, I want to show you some of my favourite summer finds, in no particular order, and how I’ve used them.

1)    Tomatoes

While some say the un-modified shape of market tomatoes is unappealing, I say bring it on. These are some of the juiciest and most delicious tomatoes I’ve ever tried. Not to mention they are literally as big as my entire hand. I have been roasting them on rotation for the best pasta sauce ever, eating them on their own, and adding them to salads with copious amounts of fresh basil, microplaned garlic, and feta.

2)    Peaches

Similar to the tomatoes in size, these peaches have been the most satisfying fruit of the season. My ultimate way to eat them, which I discovered this year, is with buffalo mozzarella or burrata in a salad: sliced peach, cheese of choice, arugula, walnuts, EVOO/s&p, finished with a honey drizzle; delicious. In a close second place, I’ve also really enjoyed fresh peaches on my morning oats. They are just the right amount of juicy and work well with all of the textures.

3)    Salmon

Prior to the market, it had been 18 years since I’d had fish. I thought: “if I’m going to get back into it, I may as well do it the right way.” That being ethically-sourced, ocean-raised, fresh salmon. Candidly, when I first prepared my filet, I could not believe what I was doing - I thought it was so gross. I also didn’t love the taste/texture after baking it the first time so wasn’t entirely convinced. But, I wanted the abundant nutrients (omega-3, protein, B12, iron, Vit D, and more) and grew to like the taste. My go-to way to eat it now is baked or BBQ-ed in foil for 12 mins with no seasoning, added to a bowl with basil, chopped market tomatoes, grilled eggplant/zucchini, feta, and microplaned garlic. Alternatively, I actually also really like it fully raw in a poke bowl*. I marinate the salmon pieces in some tamari/sesame oil/grated ginger** for about 15 mins and then add it to a bowl of white rice (cooked and cooled for that resistant starch, of course), some edamame, chopped cucumber, avocado, mango (the secret ingredient for a great flavour punch), topped with the leftover marinade, sesame seeds, and chili flakes.

*salmon must be sashimi-grade

**can sub soy sauce for tamari

4)    Mint

If you know me, you know that I am constantly drinking herbal tea. Like seriously, all the time. Brewing the strongest pot of mint tea has been my favourite way to use it this year. All I do is take about ½ the mint bundle, boil it in a full pot of water, simmer for 15 mins, and then leave the pot closed on the element turned off to steep even more. This tastes so much better than any store-bought mint tea – it’s extremely fresh and the taste reflects that, especially when the strong aftertaste of mint kicks in with each sip. I’ve also added mint to several smoothies to get a mint-chocolate flavour, but the tea definitely takes the prize here.

5)    Basil

Enter: my summer obsession - basil bowls. My favourite way to use market basil has been to make it the base of any bowl. I’ll either do the salmon combo which I mentioned earlier or change it up with some beans. For example: basil, chickpeas, feta, tomato, garlic. Can’t go wrong with this as a meal or snack anytime (yes, including breakfast). I also love to make my own pesto and use that in pasta or as a dip for veggies.

6)    Cucumbers

Behold the best cucumbers I have legitimately ever had. These are insanely crispy, hydrating, and crunchy – the ones at the grocery store don’t even compare. Especially on days when I feel like I haven’t had a ton of water/tea, I opt for especially hydrating foods like these. I will slice them in half and eat them just like that, which make for the perfect snack or starter to a meal. While I sometimes add cucumbers to my green juices, I typically save these specific ones for eating; they are so good that I don’t want any to go to waste.

All in all, the farmers market has probably been my favourite addition to my routine and wellness game. Pretty much everything I’ve tried from there has been a hit with me and my family and I very much look forward to next summer’s. 

Do you go to farmers’ markets? What are your favourite finds?