With summer coming to an end, it’s a great time to finally take advantage of your local farmers market’s produce to get inspiration for new recipes.

The DeKalb farmers market, located on the 164 block of E. Lincoln Hwy., is a great way for locals to get some fresh produce while helping support family farms and businesses. Farmers markets typically sell specific fresh fruits and vegetables to locals during season. By using your choice of fresh ingredients from the farmers market, you can incorporate homegrown produce into your next handcrafted meal.

Richard Campbell, 52, of DeKalb, says he visits the farmers market every week in the summer. “My wife loves to come here and get all the fruit fresh. It’s a great way to spend Thursday mornings together,” Campbell said. “There’s usually a great turn out and plenty of people make it to the market.”

The DeKalb farmers market is an inexpensive route to take when it comes to buying produce. It’s located in downtown DeKalb in the Frank Van Buer Plaza. Making your way there can be a great way to try a new fruit or vegetable to add to a recipe.

“I don’t come here often but I try to come here when I can,” Monica Brady, 42, of Sycamore said. Brady said she tries to comes to the farmers market to get refreshing fruit. “I try to use the fresh fruits and vegetables any chance I can when I’m making a pie or salad in the summer time. I love the aspect of using fresh fruits when I’m making something a little more gourmet.”

There are more items to shop for than just fruits and vegetables. The DeKalb farmers market is unique because there are vendors that sell raw honey, homemade soap, wine and more.

“I love coming to the farmers market every week and seeing what we can get,” Mary Datins, 32, of DeKalb said. Datins said she mainly comes for the produce but sometimes ends up with a bottle of wine or popcorn. “It’s a fun addition to the farmers market.”

The DeKalb farmers market is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Thursday running from now until Sept. It’s not too late to go and see what they have, especially when inspiring your next meal.

 

What you need:

• 1 lb roma tomatoes

• 1 english cucumber

• ½ medium red onion

• 2 avocados

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 2 tablespoons)

• ¼ cup cilantro

• ¾ teaspoon table salt

What to do:

1. Put chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro into a large salad bowl.
2. Drizzle with 2 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
3. Mix and combine together.
4. Just before serving, toss with ¾ teaspoon table salt.
5. Serve scooped and eaten in a bowl or either with chips.