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Do you EAT LOCAL?
Do you have a delicious recipe using lots of seasonal Minnesota Grown vegetables? Are you interested in sharing it to win a FREE shirt from Minnesota Grown AND bragging rights?
Click here to email Minnesota Grown your recipe. You never know... you could be the next winner!
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Mayor's Market Salad
Ingredients:
1.5 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
1 cup red/yellow/orange peppers, chopped
1 cup carrots, shredded
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
2/3 cup prepared maple basil vinaigrette (see recipe below)
4 cups mixed summer greens
1/2 cup kohlrabi, cut into matchsticks.
Maple Basil Vinaigrette:2 tablespoon red onion, chopped1/4 cup cider vinegar1 teaspoon Dijon mustard1/4 cup kosher salt 1/4 cup real maple syrup 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 1/2 cup canola or grape seed oil. Vinaigrette Directions:Combine dressing ingredients and blend with stick blender. Salad Directions:
1. Bring water and salt to boil. Stir in wild rice and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy.
2. Remove from heat and allow sitting and cooling for about 12 minutes. Add the rice to a large bowl. Add peppers, carrots, cilantro, dill and onions.
4. Gently stir in 2/3 cups of dressing until well blended.
5. Serve with wild rice mixture on top of the mixed salad greens. Drizzle each serving with remaining dressing, and top with kohlrabi matchsticks.
Recipe and photo courtesy of the Minneapolis Farmers Market and Laura Bonicelli.
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Cucumber & Tomato Salad
Ingredients:
1 large cucumber (or several small cucumbers), diced
1 large tomato, diced
1 large sweet onion, diced
Italian Dressing
Black pepper
Directions:
1. Toss all ingredients together and enjoy!
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CSA Update!
We often tell you about CSA (or Community Supported Agriculture) farms in February-April, when farms are signing up new members. But do you ever wonder what's it like in August? For those of you who have never joined a CSA farm - here is a mid-season sneak peak! For a quick reminder, a CSA farm is a membership-based production model. Consumers pay up front for a weekly share of fresh, healthy and local food directly from their CSA farm. The share is generally picked up at the farm or delivery to a predesignated drop site. Each CSA farm will vary in the produce they offer, farming practices and costs. It is a great way to connect with your local farmer and to build a relationship. The above photo is from Bakers' Acres Farms, in Avon. This is their weekly box for August 5th. It included potatoes, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, peas and peppers! Wouldn't you like to simply sign-up one time and not have to think, what should I buy for produce this week? Don't forget to research, find your favorite farm and sign-up next winter. Don't worry, we'll remind you!
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Vegetable or Fruit?
Tomatoes just might have an identity crisis, while they are often prepared and thought of as a vegetable, it's actually scientifically fruit. We don't really care what it is! Tomatoes come in all different shapes, sizes, colors and tastes. From tiny cherry tomatoes or large and uniquely shaped heirloom - there are plenty of varieties to try! 
The average tomato plant is started indoors in greenhouses and then moved outside long after the fear of frost is gone. Most larger-sized tomato plants will produce 15-20 tomatoes per season, so just imagine how many plants farmers have!
There are nearly 100 tomato farmers in the Minnesota Grown Directory. You will also find some at nearly all of the 167 farmers markets in the Directory.
Canning tomatoes is a very popular way to keep using local tomatoes throughout the winter months. The tomatoes can be added to lasagna, spaghetti sauce, salsa, chili or any other tomato based meal. Different varieties work best for different recipes. For example, Roma tomatoes are generally used to make tomato paste, due to their meatier walls and lower water content. The University of Minnesota Extension has a great plan to follow.
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You Can Grill EVERYTHING!
The Minnesota Grown Directory has everything you need for the perfect backyard, patio, park, driveway or anywhere grill out!
Most people think of the typical beef steaks and burgers when it comes to summer grilling, and with nearly 100 beef producers in The Minnesota Grown Directory, we can help you find a producer near you. However, Minnesota Grown can help fill your plate with lots of different products to grill. How about trying buffalo, elk, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, rabbit or game birds. Want to get adventurous, how about yak meat?
The above suggestions might have helped with the main dish, but what about the side dishes? Or how about the perfect vegetarian meal? You name the vegetable, it probably tastes amazing on the grill. Yes, we mean eggplant, patty pans, zucchini, onions, garlic, summer squash, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes - everything! 
 
Need a little oil to keep things moist on the grill? Try Smude Enterprises' Sunflower Oil. Sunflower oil is a healthy, natural oil that's light in taste and appearance. It is great for salad dressings, frying or grilling!
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Market Stalls Are Bursting With Variety
 Even though the days are getting shorter and the summer season is winding down, farmers markets are heating up. As August rolls around, lots of fresh produce is ready for you. Market vendors are filling their tables with summer squash, potatoes, beets, kohlrabi, green beans, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant, garlic, onions and so much more. Even melons are starting to appear.
Farmers markets can also provide a great educational experience for the whole family. Many vendors grow uncommon fruits and vegetables that can expand your taste-buds. Try a family outing to one of Minnesota Grown's 167 farmers markets to pick up your favorite items and pick out a few new ones to! After picking out the produce, kids will love to help prepare food and be excited to try it! Don't be afraid to stock up on fresh produce! You can pickle tomatoes, beets, mushrooms, carrots and even artichokes for a fresh tastes all year long. The University of Minnesota Extension has tips for choosing the right vinegar and spices for pickling many different vegetables. |
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How Sweet It Is....To Have Sweet Corn Back!
Most people go by the saying "knee high by the Fourth of July"... well, you had to look pretty far south to see that in Minnesota this year or it depended on how tall you are! Sweet corn arrived in full force about 3 weeks late, but as promised, was well worth the wait! Sweet corn is generally harvested through September. The Minnesota Grown Directory has over 80 farmers who grow sweet corn and you can also find it at nearly all of Minnesota Grown's 167 farmers markets. Even your local grocery store is starting to carry Minnesota Grown corn, just make sure you look for our logo or ask the produce manager!
Did you know corn has been cultivated by humans for about 4,000 years? The white kernel sweet corn variety has been around for only a little over 200 years.  It wasn't until the early 20th century that a yellow variety of sweet corn was developed. You can now find it in white, yellow or bi-color (both yellow and white kernels). The sweet corn we know today is sweeter and more tender than field corn thanks to plant breeding.
When selecting your sweet corn, look for ears with brown, dried silk on the ends. You can even slightly peel back the husk to check for plump kernels.
Sweet corn can be prepared in many ways. It is commonly eaten off the cob, but the kernels may also be removed and added to salads, casseroles, soups, pastas and more. To remove the kernels from the cob, run a knife down the side of the ear. You can do this before or after you've cooked the corn. Sweet corn can be boiled, grilled and even microwaved. For boiling, it's important to remove the husk and all the silk. Rinse the ears before dropping them into boiling water for 5-8 minutes. While butter is a delicious topping, do not add it to the boiling water, it can make the corn tough. There are several methods for grilling sweet corn.  Most call for leaving the husks/silk on the ears, soaking them for 15 minutes to 2 hours prior to grilling for 10-20 minutes. For a tasty spin, try gently peeling back the husks and silk, coating the kernels with butter, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Then pull the husk/silk back up and grill. Experiment with other seasonings according to your tastes or accompanying dishes! Sweet corn ears can also be microwaved for 1-2 minutes and carefully removed.
Sweet corn is a fairly perishable vegetable, so it's important to take care of it. If you are not going to use it for a few days, leave the husk intact and store it in the refrigerator. Do not keep it in a plastic bag or airtight container. Sweet corn should be prepared within 5-7 days of picking.
Now is the perfect time to stock up since sweet corn is easy to freeze and will keep its "fresh off the cob" taste for up to 12 months. It's best to use a vacuum sealer or freezer safe plastic bag. Cook the corn first (boiling for 8-10 minutes is best), then quickly cool the corn by placing it in very cold water/ice water. If you'd like to freeze the corn on the cob, just put the ears into plastic bags or vacuum seal them, otherwise remove the kernels. Separate the kernels into serving size portions and place in plastic bag or vacuum sealer. Don't forget to label and date your items!
Did you know corn always has an even number of rows on each ear? It's true - count them (or have your kids)!
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Cucumbers
Cucumbers are now readily available at farmers markets and local farms. They grow on vines and are 95% water. Cucumbers are delicious eaten fresh from the market or farm, just wash and slice. Some people prefer to add salt/pepper, others like sugar and even some like to dip them in vegetable dip. You can also add them to nearly any stir fry or vegetable medley. There are generally two types of cucumbers: pickling and slicing. Pickling cucumbers have thinner skins, shorter in length and bigger in diameter. Both pickling and slicing cucumbers can be used for pickling or eating raw. Most consumers can't taste the difference!
 Pickling cucumbers can be intimidating, but there are many different techniques and even easy refrigerator methods that don't use canning! You can make the pickles in all different flavors and can them as whole pickles, or sliced to your favorite shape. The most common flavor is dill pickles. Many markets will also sell fresh, locally grown dill and garlic - so you can pick up almost everything you need in one stop! Here is a fairly easy to follow method of making dill pickles to try! The Minnesota Grown Directory has over 40 farmers who grow cucumbers. If you are looking to purchase a larger quantity for pickling, it's important to call the farmer to check availability and to place an order.
Did you know the record for the largest cucumber was 59 pounds? That would have made one large pickle, if there was a jar big enough to hold it!
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Save-The-Date
 Taste of Longville, August 16th, from 11a-2p in Longville. Sample food from local restaurants, organizations and churches. The Chamber of Commerce provides Mary Etta's famous pies. There will also music, arts and crafts and more! Pancake feed, street fair, parade, street dance, car/bike show, firemen water fights, golf tournament and more. Come celebrate the hard work of farmers and the harvest season.
52nd Annual Ulen Turkey Barbecue Days, August 16-18th in Ulen.
Enjoy the weekend with a 5K run, Street Fair, Car Show, Parade, Turkey Barbecue meal, softball tournament and much more. Don't forget to stop by the Ullen Museum! There is something for the whole family.
Minnesota State Fair, August 22-September 2nd in St Paul.
It's back again, the great Minnesota get together! With more food than you can handle, plenty of education exhibits and entertainment you certainly want to stop by for a day (or two!). Minnesota Grown will have a booth in the North Hall of the Agriculture/Horticulture Building. Please stop by and say hello to one of our farmer members and pick up a free Directory!
Potato Days Festival, August 23-24th in Barnesville.
Free two day festival celebrating the potato (rich history in the Barnesville area). Nationally known for potato events such as Mashed Potato Wrestling, potato peeling contest, national lefse competition, potato sack fashion show, potato picking contest, mashed potato eating contest, strongman and sewing contests and more. They highlight organic and local food and beverage choices.
Uff Da! Days of Nevis, August 30-31st in Nevis.
A Scandinavian celebration like no other! Lutefisk, Swedish meatball and homemade lefse dinner, kids games, contests, flea market, parade and more!
Wild Rice Days, August 30-September 2 in McGregor.
McGregor comes together to celebrate wild rice. There is a wild rice pancake breakfast, a wild rice education tent with presenters that teach about nutrition and how to harvest and process wild rice. On Sunday there will be sweet corn for everyone at the Lion's Corn Feed.
Bovey Farmer's Day, August 31st from 9a-5p in Bovey.
One of the longest running festivals, starting in 1911, Bovey Farmer Days offers a vegetables and flower contest, 5/10K, flea market, carnival, street dance, music, parade and more!
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Minnesota Grown Facebook
Are you on Facebook? If so, we want to be friends with you! The best way to stay in touch is to like our comments and photos, participate in our conversations and post to our page.  The more active you are with us, the more active we can be with you and also, the more likely you are to see information from us! Recommend our page, share our posts, comment and spread the good news about Minnesota agriculture! We love to giveaway prizes to fans who interact with us! :)
 Did you know you could win our FAN OF THE MONTH CONTEST? One or more winners will be chosen each month from our Facebook Page and will be announce in the Pick of the Month. The more you comment, like, post and share our information and information with us - the more likely you get to say "I'm the Minnesota Grown Fan of the Month!"
Congratulations to KATY DENSTAD and GLENN SKUTA! You have each won a $25 gift certificate to The St Paul Farmers Market and the Minneapolis Farmers Market! (Yes, that's $25 to each market!) Please send us a message via Facebook with your mailing information.
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Minnesota Grown Supporters
 The Minneapolis Farmers Market is operated by the Central Minnesota Vegetable Growers Association. Minneapolis' outdoor Fruit and Vegetable Market - the precursor of today's Market - opened in 1876 at the corner of First Street and Hennepin Avenue. It was one of the few sources of fresh produce in the area at the time. The market drew customers and vendors from up to 20 miles away - and that's no quick trip when you're traveling by horse and cart. In 1937, the current Market opened at Lyndale and Glenwood Avenue North, marked by the three signature red sheds. Today, The Minneapolis Farmers Market supports about 230 vendors who alternate the use of their 170 stalls.
 For over 150 years The St Paul Farmers Market has been proud to enjoy the support of the community. The Market is operated by the St. Paul Growers' Association, Inc. The association allows only fresh, locally grown produce to be sold--directly from the grower to the consumer. Also available are bakery goods, cheese, poultry, buffalo, venison, beef, pork, lamb, maple syrup, eggs, bagel sandwiches, honey, organic plants and produce, flowers, plants, shrubs and many other items.
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