Category: Farmers Market Recipes

Hosting a Summer BBQ? End the Event with One of These Grilled Dessert Recipes

The summer season means just about every meal is cooked on the grill, including dessert! Don’t disrupt your backyard BBQ or quality time with your family to turn on the oven and bake a delicious treat. The smoky, charred flavor from your grill pairs perfectly with many fresh summer fruits (and of course chocolate & ice cream!). Fiorentino’s Farm Market highlights some fun, easy & delicious grilled summer desserts made with seasonal ingredients that can be prepared & cooked in less than 15 minutes.

Top 5 Grilled Desserts to Cook this Summer

Grilled Summer Fruit Skewers: A grilled twist on the classic fruit salad. You can use any fresh summer fruit you have on hand, but our favorites are peaches, pineapple, strawberry and other similar hearty fruits. Don’t forget to soak your skewers in water. Classic S'mores with Strawberry: You don’t even need a fire pit for this easy grilled summer dessert recipe. Simply line a grill pan with graham crackers, top with chocolate, marshmallows and slices of strawberry then bake for 2 minutes. Swap out the strawberry for other summer fruits like bananas or blueberries! Grilled Peach Crumble: There is something so decadent about peaches on the grill! The crumble can be made a few days in advance and add a big scoop of ice cream to complete this delicious summer dessert. Get the Recipe Here. Char-Grilled Pears w/Cinnamon Drizzle: Similar to the above Grilled Peach Recipe, swap the peach for a seasonal bosc pear and top with honey, cinnamon and chopped pecans. Get the Recipe Here. Rum-Soaked Grilled Pineapple: Simply marinate pineapple slices in a brown sugar and rum marinate for 15 minutes and throw them onto the grill. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy & boozy grilled summer dessert. With only a few short months to enjoy the seasonal summer fruits make sure to head down to our local produce market! Buying fresh, local produce ensures you’re enjoying the boldest flavors at peak freshness. For more seasonal recipes, we have many inspirations for Fall Apple Recipes, Winter Pear Recipes, Summer Blueberry Recipes, Fresh Cherry Recipes, Winter Citrus Recipes and much more! Fiorentino’s Farm Market is open seasonally to provide New Jersey with the freshest fruits and vegetables, as well as snacks, baked goods, plants & flowers and much more.

Easy Summer Strawberry Recipes

For both kids and adults alike it is hard to ignore a fresh crate of bright red strawberries gleaming in the early summer sun. While eating the batch you’ve just purchased from your local produce market by the handful is a perfectly acceptable option, you may want to consider other ways to cook up your abundance of strawberries. Fiorentino’s Farm Market, a fresh fruit and vegetable market, highlights our 10 all-time favorite strawberry recipes which are perfect for ripe & overripe fruit alike.  

10 Delicious Summer Strawberry Recipes

Strawberry Shortcake: You can’t feature strawberry recipes without first mentioning this classic dessert! Whether you make from scratch or use premade biscuits, the star of this dish is the fresh strawberries from your local farmers market. Roasted Strawberry, Avocado & Mozzarella Grilled Cheese: Similar to the grilled cheese sandwich featured in our Blueberry Recipes blog, this elevates and puts a unique spin on a classic childhood favorite. Visit Ambitious Kitchen to find the ingredients and preparation steps. Strawberry, Mango & Mint Fruit Salad: An easy and refreshing summer dessert or poolside snack. Simply cut and combine the ingredients and drizzle with a 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Goat Cheese & Strawberry Salad: There’s nothing quite as beautiful as a salad dressed with the freshest produce and ingredients. To make this unique & savory strawberry recipe first lay down a bed of mixed baby greens and top with strawberries, cucumbers, red onion, croutons and drizzle with your favorite vinaigrette. Get the full recipe here, which includes homemade goat cheese croutons! Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade: Puree the strawberries in a blend and strain through a fine sieve to remove any seeds. Add to your favorite store bought or homemade lemonade and sip on this delicious beverage all summer long! Strawberry Salsa: There are so many ways easy ways to whip up strawberry salsa! Eat with crunchy tortilla chips or add on top of grilled chicken or pork. Some of our favorites include:

• • Strawberries, avocado, radishes, lime juice & cilantro
  • Strawberries, dried cranberries, avocado, crushed red pepper & cilantro
  • Strawberries, scallions, radishes, chives, lime juice, avocado, salt & pepper

Strawberry BBQ Sauce: Blend together strawberries, chili sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice & zest, brown sugar and cayenne pepper. This unique, delicious spin on BBQ sauce tastes amazing on fish, pork and chicken. Strawberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing: Soak sliced strawberries into a bowl of balsamic vinegar and organic honey; let sit for 30 minutes. Add the mixture plus olive oil, salt and pepper to a food processor and blend until smooth. Use this homemade dressing on green salads, pasta salads or charred collards, kale, spinach and more! Strawberry Bruschetta: These are the perfect bite-sized appetizer for any warm weather party. Mix a large bowl of strawberries, nectarines, grape tomatoes, herbs & spices and olive oil. Toast & slice fresh baguette bread into small pieces, spread a thin layer of goat cheese, top with the mixture and drizzle with balsamic dressing. Strawberry, Turkey & Brie Panini: Upgrade your classic Monte Cristo sandwich with an unexpected twist. Add fresh thinly sliced strawberries to a turkey and brie Panini; this will definitely be a staple for your backyard BBQs all summer long!

Refreshing Citrus Recipes to Cook this Winter

As we get inch closer to spring, more and more fruits and vegetables become available for purchase. In the very early season (mid-February thru late-March), citrus fruits are fresh, ripe and readily available. The citrus recipes Fiorentino’s Farm Market highlights below include the use of grapefruit, lemons, limes, oranges and tangerines. The sweet and tangy citrus recipes are just what you need to get you through the final push of cold winter weather! Remember, many of your local farmer’s markets are starting to open serving the freshest produce & citrus fruits available.

5 Citrus Recipes to get you through the Cold Winter Weather

Lemon Salsa: Combine finely chopped lemons, cucumbers, scallions, chili and sugar into a bowl and let combine for 1 hour. You can use this salsa on top of chicken & vegetable skewers, pork or fish. Citrus Marinate: This easy marinate goes amazing with grilled chicken, pork or fish! Pulse cilantro, garlic, lime & orange zest, lime & orange juices, soy sauce, oil and scallions in a food processor until pureed. Add your meat of choice and let marinate at least 20 minutes then cook and serve. Chocolate Orange Brownie Cookies: Chocolate and orange is one of the most underappreciated dessert combinations. Get this insanely delicious citrus dessert recipe here. Lemon Bars: You can never go wrong with this tangy and sweet classic dessert. Whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and flour and pour over your pre-bought or pre-baked crust. Dust with powdered sugar and serve. A super easy and delicious winter citrus dessert in 2 easy steps! Citrus Refresher: Guaranteed to be a huge hit at your next wintertime get together! This big pitcher citrus recipe can be served with or without alcohol and has a little extra spice thanks to a few jalapenos. First, juice 4 limes and 6 oranges into a pitcher. In a large saucepan, place a few orange rinds, 1 coarsely chopped jalapeno, sugar and salt and muddle the mixture for about 3 minutes; stir in 1 cup of warm water and set to rest up to 1 hour. Strain the mixture into your large pitcher, mix and serve over ice with club soda or rum!

Year Round Fresh Produce Cooking Inspiration

As a fresh and local produce market, Fiorentino’s Farm Market is dedicated to providing our customers with the best available fruits and vegetables, as well as recipes that inspire you to cook! While the wintertime does not afford many options, we guarantee you’ll love these light, zesty and refreshing citrus recipes that are perfect to get you through the last leg of winter! As we get into the spring & summer seasons, expand your recipe repertoire with our summer cherry or blueberry recipes, winter pear dishes and fall apple recipes to enjoy. Check our blog regularly for even more tips (like how to store your summer produce for lasting freshness), tricks and cooking guides.

Delightful Fresh Summer Cherry Recipes

As with many staple Jersey produce items, fresh cherry season is very short-lived. Peak season arrives in mid-June and lasts only about a week! During this time, sweet & tart cherry lovers make their way to the local farmers market to pick up a few buckets and whip up all the staple cherry recipes in their arsenal. From pies and jams to BBQ sauce, cocktails and more, Fiorentino’s Farm Market highlights 5 cool fresh cherry recipes for you to try this summer. If you want to make the season last a little longer, learn how to preserve summer produce easily.

5 Cool Ways to Cook with Fresh Cherries

Cherry Cobbler: A unique twist on a classic peach recipe! This is a must-have summer treat if you’re going to buy fresh cherries. Remember to serve with whipped cream & vanilla ice cream. Cherry & Carnitas Sandwich: Slow cook fresh cherries & a beef roast in a dutch oven for about 4 hours. Once the meat is done, immersion blend the broth and cooked cherries to create a sweet and savory sauce. Top the meat & coating onto your favorite bread or pretzel roll and garnish with cilantro and green onions. Cherry Cheesecake: Elevate this already decadent dessert with a sweet cherry topping. You can make the cheesecake from scratch or buy from a local bakery. Whip up the topping by heating pitted cherries, sugar, water, cornstarch slurry and almond extract. Wait to cool then pour over the cheesecake and enjoy! Cherry & Bourbon BBQ Sauce: A cherry and bourbon infused BBQ sauce will elevate any meat, especially on the grill! This delicious sauce can be used to baste ribs, chicken and pork. Cherry Almond Cinnamon Rolls: Did you ever think a cinnamon roll could get any better? Make the rolls to your desired recipe and add pitted cherries and shaved almonds for an incredible upgrade to your favorite childhood breakfast treat. Cherry Peach Sangria: Prepare the sangria using your favorite recipe then simply add sliced peaches and pitted cherries for a refreshing twist on a classic summer cocktail.

Cherry Recipes to Enjoy this Summer Season

With a small window of time to enjoy cherries seasonally make sure you head down to your local produce market as soon as cherry season rolls into New Jersey. Buying fresh and local produce ensures you’re enjoying the boldest flavors at peak availability. For more seasonal recipe inspirations, we’ve put together Fall Apple Recipes, Winter Pear Recipes, Summer Blueberry Recipes and much more! Fiorentino’s Farm Market is open seasonally providing the freshest fruits, vegetables and produce, as well as snacks, plants & flowers, baked goods and more.

Sweet & Delicious Fresh Blueberry Recipes

Blueberry season in New Jersey is very short lived and must be enjoyed to the absolute fullest during peak season late June through late July. From eating plain to whipping up some homemade blueberry muffins, jams and countless other delectable foods, there are so many delicious fresh blueberry recipes to enjoy. Head to your local farmer’s market to pick up a crate of fresh blueberries today, the summer will be over before you know it! To make the season last a little bit longer, learn how to preserve your favorite summer produce.

6 Unique Fresh Blueberry Recipes to Cook this Summer

Blueberry Butter: Upgrade your classic pancake recipe by slathering them with blueberry butter! Simply mash together a stick of softened butter, sugar and blueberries. You’ll want most of the blueberries to keep their shape, but mashed enough to get the juices into to butter. Trust us, you’ll never look at blueberry pancakes the same way again once you’ve tried this version.   Classic Blueberry Jam: Rich in taste & color and chock-full of whole blueberries, this classic recipe can be spread on toast, biscuits, cakes and so much more! Lemon & Blueberry Cheesecake: The combination of the sweet blueberries with the tangy lemon cheesecake is one of our absolute favorites! The the recipe up a notch by adding blueberries inside the filling and as a decadent topping. Blueberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Take your classic grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with this delicious Balsamic Vinegar & Blueberry Grilled Cheese recipe. To make this fresh blueberry recipe you’ll simply make a quick mash & spread over a piece of hearty bread, add sharp white cheddar cheese, top with spinach, add second piece of bread, toast for a few minutes on each side and enjoy! Blueberry & Dijon Dressing: A unique and highly complementary drizzle over grilled chicken and/or pork. Over medium heat combine fresh blueberries, blueberry preserves and Dijon mustard and bring to a boil, stirring until thick. Blueberry Lemonade: This delicious and refreshing summer drink is super easy to make and keep in a pitcher in the fridge. Simply crush fresh blueberries into a puree then strain using a fine mesh sleeve over a pitcher of pre-made lemonade (store bought or make your own).

Flavorful Ways to Eat in Season Blueberries

The most important thing to remember when preparing any of these fresh blueberry recipes is to ensure you are using the finest produce from a local NJ produce market. Fiorentino’s Farm Market in Hammonton, NJ provides the freshest, in season fruits and vegetables, as well as an assortment of baked goods, plants & flowers, snacks and much more. For more seasonal recipe inspirations, check out Fall Apple Recipes or Summer Peach Recipes.

Pear Recipes & Ideas to Make all Winter Season

Plentiful, delicious and exceptionally nutritional, the pear is extremely versatile and can be used in many breakfast, lunch, dinner & dessert recipes! Since December is recognized as National Pear Month, Fiorentino’s Farm Market is honoring this diverse fruit by providing 6 easy & delicious pear recipes you can cook throughout the winter season. From decadent desserts to savory dinner inspirations, there are endless ways you can enjoy the pear without having to be an expert chef. Head down to your local farmers market to pick up a fresh, in season basket of pears and get inspired to work wonders in the kitchen!

10 Sweet & Savory Pear Recipes

Pear Crisp: A classic fall apple recipe gets a creative upgrade for the winter holidays. Toss the pears in a little orange juice then sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon and ginger. Top with ingredients for the crumble: flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and butter. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes and serve warm with a scoop of ice cream. This is one of the pear recipes on this list we guarantee you’ll be baking over and over. Pear Salsa: Combine chopped pears with a red onion, mint, lime juice and a jalapeno pepper for a unique twist on the classic tomato salsa. Serve this with tortillas chips or as a topping on grilled pork chops. Poached Pears: This elegant dessert pear recipe is sure to impress the guests at your next holiday party! This easy recipe can be cooked ahead of time by simply emerging the fruits in a boiling pot of water, honey and sugar. Let that simmer for up to 30 minutes, transfer into a covered container & keep in the fridge overnight. Serve on its own, drizzle with chocolate or pair with ice cream. Pear Coleslaw: Add thinly sliced pears to a classic coleslaw recipe for an elevated taste that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, ribs, a hamburger and so much more! Green Smoothie: If you’re tired of the same old banana & peanut butter smoothie, try our pear rendition for a sweet, but still healthy smoothie. A few creative smoothie pear recipes include:

1. Pears, kale, banana, ginger & cinnamon
2. Red beets, pears, lemon juice & honey
3. Spinach, banana and pear

Pear Bellini: A twist on the delicious peach Bellini, this recipe shows you how to easily make your own peach nectar, which is blended and combined with vodka and champagne. Pear Chips: You can use any kind of pear you like, but Bartlett pears are the most common. Simply slice your pear into very thin, uniform slices and lay out evenly on parchment paper. Here, you can leave them plain or sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar, ginger or chai spice. Bake in the oven at 225 degrees for 1 – 1.5 hours depending on how crispy you’d like them. Pear and Gorgonzola Salad: First, combine white vinegar, pear halves and a dash of salt & pepper in a blender until smooth. In a salad bowl, combine mixed salad greens, sliced pears, tomato, walnuts and gorgonzola cheese. Sprinkle with homemade dressing and toss in leftover protein! Apple-Pear Puff Pancake: Blend eggs, milk, flour, sugar and nutmeg until smooth and immediately pour into a hot, ovenproof skillet. Bake until puffed & brown, 17 – 20 minutes. While that’s baking, cook apples, pears and sugar until tender. Remove pancake from over, fill with fruit mixture and serve immediately.   Pear Pork Chops: Not all pear recipes have to be sweet! In a large skillet, brown your pork chops and sprinkle with chopped pears and sweet red pepper. Prepare a box of cornbread stuffing mix while chops are cooking. Once done, top pork chops with stuffing and onions, cook in the oven uncovered for 8 – 10 minutes.

Winter Recipes & Inspirations

While there are not many options for fresh fruits & vegetables when we get into the thick of winter, take advantage of the versatile pear in the months of December and January! We hope these easy pear recipes inspire you to get into the kitchen and cook up something delicious. For more seasonal ideas, check out our summer peach recipes, fall apple recipes or ways you can preserve your summer produce.

Easy Fall Apple Recipes to Cook

Apples are one of the most versatile foods you can pick up at your local farmers market. In season from late August through October 31, not only can you eat these nutritious fruits alone, but there are so many apple recipes for you to experiment. From sweet to savory and everything in between, there are countless ways to enjoy a fresh, juicy apple. Whether you pick your own or purchase a bag from the farmers market or a grocery store, these 6 delicious apple recipes will have you indulging right into the holiday season.

6 Apple Recipes to Try this Fall

Baked Apples: A healthier spin on traditional apple pie, baked apples are so simple to make and delicious! Simply core the apples, stuff with brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts then bake for about 30 – 45 minutes. Make sure you pour a little hot water into the pan so they don’t burn! Apple Pops: There are so many ways you can dress up an apple. Apple pops are an easy way to indulge in all of your sweet tooth cravings! Simply cut the apple into ½” slices, insert a popsicle stick, line a baking sheet with parchment paper & get creative.

1. Choose your dip: peanut butter, milk chocolate, dark chocolate or caramel.
2. Toppings: pretzels, nuts, Oreos, candy, sprinkles – the possibilities are endless!
3. Enjoy!

Apple Chips: Moving away from desserts, apple chips are a light, crispy & healthy snack choice. Thinly slice apples into chips, sprinkle with cinnamon then bake in the oven for 1 hour. Apple Glaze BBQ Sauce: A BBQ sauce or glaze infused with the flavors of apples tastes incredible on pork and chicken dishes. Frittata: A frittata is very similar to an omelet or quiche, which means it can be enriched with a wide variety of ingredients. A few of our favorite recipes are Sausage & Apple, Apple & Cheddar and Apple, Sausage & Goat Cheese. Crockpot Apple Sauce: The perfect way to use up your extra apples is also a delicious and healthy fall snack. Simply peel and core your apples then cut them into fourths. Add to the crockpot with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and water and cook on high for 3 – 4 hours.

Seasonal Recipe Ideas & Inspiration

If we’ve sparked your inner chef to whip up any of the above fall apple recipes, be sure to use only the freshest ingredients, fruits & vegetables, many of which can be found at our NJ produce market. For more cooking inspiration, check out our Summer Peach Recipes. Fiorentino’s Farm Market is open seasonally, offering fresh produce, as well as baked goods, snacks, nuts, plants & flowers and much more. Check out our blog regularly to see other delicious recipe ideas, as well as helpful tips including ways to reduce food waste, summer produce preservation tips and more!

Delicious Summer Peach Recipes to Enjoy

Peach season in New Jersey is short, lasting only from July through September. With only about 3 months to enjoy this sweet, delicious fruit, you’ll want to make sure you can delight in them every way imaginable! Besides cutting up and eating them plain or tossing in a fruit salad, there are countless ways to enjoy peaches! Fiorentino’s Farm Market has provided 5 delicious and unique summer peach recipes for you to cook up before the season ends! Head down to our farmer’s market in Hammonton, NJ to pick up a basket of peaches and try out some of these recipes for yourself.

10 Unique Summer Peach Recipes

Iced Tea: Peach iced tea could obviously stand on its own. But if you really want to take your iced tea to the next level, try adding in other seasonal produce items! Our favorite peach iced tea recipes are Peace & Lemon, Peach & Strawberry and Peach & Mango. Peach & Cheese Combinations: For a truly decadent indulgence, pair your sweet peach with a soft and savory cheese. The best cheeses to pair with peaches are soft and creamy, such as blue cheese, goat cheese and mozzarella. BBQ Sauce: Make your own or buy a jarred BBQ sauce that is flavored with fresh peaches. The sweet flavor of the peach combined with the tangy BBQ make a truly unique and delicious flavor perfect on ribs, chicken and pork! Head down to Fiorentino’s Farm Market to try our homemade jarred items such as BBQ sauce, salsas, pasta sauces and more! Grilled Peaches: Minimal effort, maximum flavor! Simply cut your peach in half, brush with olive oil and throw on the grill for 4 – 5 minutes per side. Eat alone or serve with ice cream! Ice Cream Floats: A delicious and refreshing summer treat everyone is sure to love! Simply scoop vanilla ice cream into a glass and top with diced peaches, pour cream soda over and enjoy! Peach-Cucumber Salsa: This minty peach salsa can easily be made ahead, keep in the fridge for days and keeps your kitchen cool while cooking. Serve over grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon or pork! Combine chopped peaches, cucumber, red onion & fresh mint; add a sprinkle of olive oil, peach preserves and salt & pepper to taste. Peach Pork Tenderloin: Sear the tenderloins on each side until cooked. While the pan is still hot, add sliced peaches & lemon juice, cook until peaches are tender. Add the pork back into the pan and heat through; this is a great Sunday dinner, even on a hot summer evening. Avocado Summer Rolls: This is the perfect, refreshing dinner or lunch for the hot summer season. Use any fresh veggies you like (cucumber, avocado, etc.), plus the peaches add a delightful sweetness. Peach Overnight Oats: In a mason jar, combine oats, milk, chia seeds, vanilla, cinnamon and chopped peaches. Place in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to serve, top with extra chopped peaches and enjoy! Peach & Kale Smoothie: Whether you’re enjoying this smoothie for breakfast or as a poolside snack, this is a delicious & refreshing drink. In a blender, combine almond milk, frozen banana, kale leaves (stems removed), fresh frozen peaches, ginger, matcha or protein powder (option) and some ice.

Delicious Ways to Enjoy Peaches before Summer is Over

When indulging in any of our summer peach recipes, be sure to always use the freshest ingredients from your local farmer’s market. This ensures you get the best and boldest flavors possible. For more recipe inspirations, check out our Fall Apple Recipes. If you’re looking to extend the season for as long as possible, check out these easy ways to preserve summer produce. Fiorentino’s Farm Market is open seasonally, providing the freshest fruits & vegetables, as well as baked goods, snacks, nuts, plants & flowers and more!