Rolling Green Farm Market
One of my favorite things about summer is visiting local farmers' markets and enjoying the freshest produce of the season. Recently, my husband and I visited a market in Clarksburg, Maryland called Rolling Green Farm Market. If you are visiting the Frederick, Maryland area it is definitely worth a quick stop to pick-up some good-for-you goodies. The market partners with local farmers and producers in the area to offer a variety of fresh produce, local honey, "old-school" bottled milk, organic cheeses, eggs, fresh bread, beautiful flowers and some of the best homemade pies. They also have fantastic ice cream from Trickling Springs Creamery, which is a high-fat premium ice cream made with organic milk. My favorite flavor is their Hint of Chocolate. Unlike most ice cream that you buy in the grocery store these days, this stuff doesn’t contain artificial flavors, colors, or carrageenan (substance extracted from seaweed and used as a thickening or emulsifying agent in food products).My philosophy regarding premium products is to just enjoy a smaller amount of the ‘real’ stuff less often versus always opting for a lower-fat and sugar alternative.When visiting your local market it is important to think about the growing season in your state to select items at the peak of the season. Harvest times can vary based on weather conditions, but if you live in Maryland checkout the Maryland Agricultural Produce list for ideas regarding what is in-season.
Here are a few of my favorite produce items to purchase in June and July along with a few of my favorite recipes.
Blueberries: (1 cup = 85 kcals)
Try Blueberry and Orange Spinach Salad.
Broccoli: (1 cup = 30 kcals)
Try My Vegetable Crustless Quiche
Cabbage: (1 cup =17 kcals)
Cantaloupe: (1 cup =53 kcals)
Try a Cantaloupe Smoothie
Corn: (1/2 cup = 66 kcals)
Try Fresh Corn Salad
Nectarines:(1 small =62 kcals)
Try Chicken Kabobs with Nectarine Salsa