Roadside stands, farmers markets, seasonal enterprises – they are the heart and soul of summer in the Midwest – and probably in your neck of the woods as well.
I didn’t buy the Speciality Basil Bouquet (top photo), but, I couldn’t resist taking a picture. The arrangements look, and smell, of summer. I grow my own basil along with thyme, oregano, and sage in a whiskey barrel on our deck. I love to step outside and snip fresh herbs for our dinner, and I love slipping herbs into bouquets – or just in a jar of water for color and ease on my countertop.
The bouquet of zinnias, above was from The Farm, a roadside market not far from our house. They grow their produce on two farms nearby and have a large plot in back of the barn/store where they grow flowers that they sell from the stand. The bouquets are picked and arranged each day and last for most of a week. This bouquet has strawflowers and Billy Buttons, which should also dry well for Fall arrangements.
Last week, onions, new potatoes, zucchini and string beans were available. One glance and I knew what i would be making for dinner that night and leftovers thereafter – Greek string beans and potatoes! I used some freshly picked mint leaves from another pot on the deck and it was, I must confess, unabashedly, THE BEST Briami I have ever made!
Sweet corn is abundant now. I prefer to get corn from Farmers Markets and stands, where I know they are as locally grown and as fresh as possible, but, there are also berries, and fruit, much of which is coming in from Michigan. These yellow plums are quite sweet and juicy.
What are seasonal delights are you enjoying now?
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
Ooooo, haven’t gotten our first corn or beans from the CSA yet. Can’t wait. We just got our first tomatoes and they were delicious!
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I do wish we had a CSA near enough to make it worthwhile. Lucky you. 🙂 There is nothing quite like tomatoes in summertime – or that first ear of corn. Hope you get some corn in your next CSA batch. 🙂
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Thanks! Me too!
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Your blog is always a fountain of great information, Penny! I didn’t know what briami was!
My sister-in-law and I went to the farmer’s market near her home to buy tomatoes since hers failed to produce. I’ve noticed the appearance of some caramel apples, though I usually like to get those in the fall from the farms. 🙂
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Thank you for saying so, L. Marie. Briami is a staple in most Greek kitchens, especially in summer, and so good.
All the rain hasn’t helped local tomatoes, but, can be had a farmers markets. I love carmel apples in fall.
Haver you ever gone to the Oak Park Farmers Market? It is on Saturdays and is one of the oldest ones in the Chicago area. Groups sell donuts they make out of the church where the market is held and there is always a lively pick-up band filled with musicians of all ages and all instruments. I especially like to go in the Fall.
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I made the briami the last time you wrote about it and it was as good as you say it is! I will have to look for yellow plums as I have not seen them. Our favorite local things now are watermelons, and strawberries. We are waiting for peaches.
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I am so glad you made it, Marilyn. This time, instead of tomato paste, I used a big can of plum tomatoes. Oh my . . . even better.
The yellow plums are coming in from Michigan and this is the first I’ve seen them. Really good. I’ll bet your watermelon is really sweet – and local strawberries are the best.
I hope the rains and storms haven’t been hitting you. Thinking of you, Marilyn.
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Mmmmmm! My husband remembers eating Briami when he was growing up. So grateful for your special recipe, Penny! I will have to surprise him one day. 🙂 Our neighbors are always so generous with the bounty of their vegetable gardens. Bags of fresh picked string beans and tomatoes magically appeared on our front porch in recent weeks!
I have been taking cuttings from the Rosemary plant in our herb garden. They root so quickly! I’m hoping to have several small pots of my favorite herb soon. Our large Rosemary plant always overwinters in our dining room window. It will be nice to have some smaller plants, too. I really enjoyed today’s sweet, summer post, Penny! ♡
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This time, I added some fresh mint, Dawn, and instead of tomato paste, I used a large can of Cento Plum tomatoes, which added to the flavors. The bounty of summer shared by neighbors doubles the eating pleasure, doesn’t it, and I’m sure your own bounty of herbs enhances it.
That’s good to know. I didn’t realize Rosemary would root so fast. How nice that you overwinter your friend, Rosemary. I’m sure she rewards you with fragrance as you pass by and in your meals – with more plants! Good for you.
Thank you, Dawn. Enjoy your day.
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It sounds so yummy, Penny! Thank you for sharing your special recipe with us.
Oh, yes! Rosemary roots incredibly fast. This is my first time to take cuttings to root. I really enjoy having the large Rosemary plant inside for the winter. My blogging desk is in the corner of the dining room, near the sunny window. So, Rosemary and I are side-by-side, where I can enjoy her scent as the snowflakes fall outside! ♡
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Gorgeous photos and descriptions Penny! I am starving for some fresh produce now!
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Thank you, Janet. I wish I could share some with you.
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Penny, thank you for sharing your Greek recipe for Briami. It looks healthy and delicious and I love the addition of mint.
We are still getting a lot of berries here in California, the farmers are selling their artichokes and I saw the first Brussels sprouts last week.
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You are very welcome, Gerlinde. My grandmother grew mint and it was added to quite a few meals, but, especially to Briami.
I never tire of berries and while we have a lot of local here at this time of year, much comes from California. Ah . . . the first of the Brussels sprouts. I tried growing them here a few years ago, but, they don’t really ripen until October or even November. Enjoy them as they come into the markets there, Gerlinde.
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I have mint growing in my tiny garden and I try to use.
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Oops, I mean I try to use it.
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The Briami recipe sounds wonderful (I went to your link, thank you very much) — and I have a lot of those veggies from Cyndi’s garden and/or the Farmer’s Market near us. on the menu for later this week!!
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You are most welcome.
I usually use the tomato paste, but, used a large can of Cento plum tomatoes this time and it added to the tastes. Having said that, Sallie, you really can’t mess this recipe up with what you have. Enjoy.
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Our markets are a little lean right now, so I enjoyed browsing yours Penny, especially with those cheerful flowers and tasty fruit.
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I’m enjoying the bounty while it lasts, Juliet, and know before long you will be enjoying the fruits and flowers of the spring and summer season. While it is hot and humid here right now, the days are slowly shortening and the colors are changing.
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