Summer Farmers’ Market Must-Haves! 10 Recipes for Seasonal Home Cooking

Have you ever come home from the summer farmers' market with bags full of beautiful produce and no idea what to make first?

Summer farmers’ markets are overflowing with abundant produce, but that can feel overwhelming. If you've ever wanted simple, seasonal recipes that let peak-season produce shine without spending hours in the kitchen, this episode is packed with ideas for warm-weather hosting and quick weeknight meals that you’ll rely on all season.

By the end of this episode, you’ll:

1. Learn new ways to make the most of ripe summer tomatoes
2. Discover a dramatic and easy way to make a delicious cherry dessert
3. Find out how to take crisp cucumbers and combine them with a package of frozen dumplings for a 30-minute meal.

Press play and make the most of every farmers’ market trip this season!

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Links:

Tomatoes

Southeast Asian Tomato Salad by Melissa Clark from The Splendid Table

Heirloom tomato cracker salad by Karen Schroeder-Rankin for Southern Living

Corn

Deborah Madison's coconut corn from Vegetable Literacy, a favorite cookbook of Kari and Sonya

Grilled corn with flavored butters by Amanda Neal for Food Network Kitchen

Fresh beans

Slow-roasted Romano beans from the AOC Cookbook, by Suzanne Goin

Green bean salad with greens, almonds, and dried cherries by Pamela Saltzman

Cucumber

Dumpling and smashed cucumber salad by Hetty Lui McKinnon from NYT Cooking

Okra

Crispy Okra with Spicy Honey Sauce by Kwame Onwauach and adapted by Millie Peartree for NYT Cooking

Cherries

Cherries Jubilee by Daniel Gritzer from Serious Eats

Wild rice salad with pickled cherries by Lisa Lotts

Bonus cherry recipes:

Alice Water’s sour cherry clafoutis recipe, which recommends keeping the pits in the cherry for an almond flavor

Sonya’s pickled cherry (and watermelon recipes)

More inspiration from previous episodes:

Our 2025 Summer Farmers’ Market Episode includes crispy corn cakes and two gazpacho recipes

Our 2024 Summer Farmers’ Market Episode Episode includes Sonya’s one-bowl sour cherry cake and cauliflower salad sandwiches.

Also check out our “Corn, beans, and squash” episode for more summer produce ideas!

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For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here.

Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook, Braids for more Food Friends recipes!