Eating local produce not only supports the community, but it’s more nutritious and delicious, and promotes a safer food supply! Take advantage of Western New York’s fresh and bountiful harvest during the fall and winter seasons by heading to your local farmers’ market. There’s nothing better than the warm aroma of meals made homemade with ingredients sourced from local markets.
Here are some of our favorite fall and winter farmers’ market recipes:
Black Bean Butternut Squash Stew
This healthy vegetarian stew is the perfect fall or winter comfort food, overflowing with fresh farmers’ market veggies, hearty beans and greens, and savory spices!
Butternut squash is loaded with vitamin A and has a sweet flavor, even without added sugar. The whole family is sure to enjoy this smooth and creamy dish!
Pumpkin Cauliflower Curry
This meat-free curry recipe is a tasty twist on the classic, creamy Asian dish. Fresh pumpkin and cauliflower bring in a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the coconut milk and rice base.
Many of the seasonings found in traditional curries can be found at the farmers’ market or even grown at home. They include coriander, chili peppers and cumin.
Butternut Squash Risotto
Butternut squash makes delicious seasonal dishes, and this recipe is no exception! This risotto makes a great side when served with pork and greens.
A healthy cooking alternative to some other starches, butternut squash’s hearty texture is a great replacement for arborio rice for what is otherwise a traditionally-styled risotto recipe. The squash perfectly balances the stronger flavors of sage and parmesan cheese.
Fennel and Potato Gratin
This winter farmers’ market recipe blends layered potato and fennel slices with milk, butter, cheese and spices for a delicious holiday casserole or the perfect dinner side dish.
Fennel is a cold-month vegetable and is available in the late winter or early fall. It can be used as an herb or as part of the dish. It grows well in a variety of climates and can be used in multiple ways for flavorful and healthy cooking.
Kale and Mustard Greens with Spicy Sausage
This southern-inspired sausage dish is a quick, simple weeknight dinner loaded with bold and spicy flavors. The recipe uses plenty of vegetables you’ll be able to buy from local farmers at the market.
The kale and mustard greens take on the flavor of the spices in your sausage while offering hearty texture and nutritional benefits.
Beet and Goat Cheese Quinoa Patties
These make a great vegetarian-friendly, healthy snack or side. The patties are a scrumptious blend of beets, spinach, potatoes, goat cheese and quinoa!
These can be served alone and dipped in a side of sauce or added to a bakery bun for a unique veggie burger. Their vibrant color and satisfying texture will be sure to wow guests and family members.
Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
This nutritious, plant-based take on the classic Irish comfort food is delicious and surprisingly easy to make! The dish uses plenty of farmers’ market finds, like gold potatoes, carrots, celery and other seasonal vegetables!
The main ingredients can be found at almost any farmers’ market and remain fresh for weeks at a time. The lentils make for a surprisingly satisfying meat replacement that is sure to fill you up.
Apple Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Cooking from the farmers’ market can be sweet! You can’t go wrong with a healthy quinoa salad for lunch or dinner! This salad is filled with crunchy apples and pecans, roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, shallots and quinoa drizzled with maple syrup and mustard dressing.
Perfect as a side or an entree, this sweet and savory culinary collage is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Apples, sweet potatoes and cranberries have long played a role in New York food culture and come together to provide a medley of flavors and textures.
Farmers’ Market Fall Minestrone
Fall and winter are the perfect seasons for a homemade bowl of this classic soup, chock-full of locally sourced veggies for healthy cooking. Filled with butternut squash, zucchini, carrots, parsley and tomatoes from the local farmers’ market, this soup makes a great starter or entree!
Great when shopping on a budget, this favorite is easy to make and reheat later, so you and your family can enjoy it all winter long!
Mushroom Tarte Tatin with Honey & Goat Cheese
This honey-drizzled mushroom and shallot-based pastry with sweet goat cheese is the perfect dish to bring to a holiday party, or to enjoy at home as an appetizer! Sophisticated and inviting, this can be made vegetarian or gluten-free.
For more farmers’ market recipe ideas, follow Massachusetts Avenue Project on Pinterest!