Minnesota Farmers Market - Meal Ideas

At the end of the summer I went to several Minnesota Farmers Markets and loaded up on veggies. Then I had to decide what to do with all that produce. I wanted to make a quick list of all the things I made so I could remember for next year. Please add in the comments if you have any additional ideas. :)

Items Purchased
Corn
Tomatoes
Squash
Peppers
Onions
Potatoes
Zucchini
Yellow Summer Squash
Green Beans
Cauliflower
Carrots
Lettuce
Spinach
Cucumbers
Fresh Seasoning
Strawberries
Apples
Cantaloupe
Fresh Meat
Local Maple Syrup


Meals Made

• Gazpacho (On Blog)
• Shish-ka-bobs
• Steak, Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad and Fruit
• Homemade Tomato Sauce
• Squash Soup (On Blog)
• Roasted Cauliflower (On Blog - Yummy Cauliflower)
• Breakfast with pancakes and french toast topped with strawberries and local maple syrup. Served with a side of fried potatoes/onions/squash and eggs
• Tacos (Taco Seasoning on Blog)
• Zucchini Pizzas (On Blog)
• Fruit Salad
• Fruit and Vegetable Smoothies
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Chili - Loaded with lots of extra veggies 

Pasta Free Italian Salad (Kristi Original)

Mix together the following ingredients and serve.
*To make this vegan, do not add meat, cheese, and select a different italian dressing*
*To make this vegetarian do not add meat*

Ingredients
Kidney Beans (Drain, Rinse, Drain and add them to your bowl)
Black Beans (Drain, Rinse, Drain, and add them to your bowl)
1 Small Onion finely chopped
1/2 Green Pepper cut up
Red and Yellow Peppers cut up (I used little peppers)
Whole Black Olives (Drained)
Whole Green Olives (Drained)
Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
Carrots cut up
Pepperoni (Cut them in half)
Pepper Jack Cheese cut in cubes (Use any cheese you prefer)
Newman's Own - Family Recipe Italian

Alternative Ingredient Ideas
Garbanzo Beans
Fresh Mushrooms

Summer Salad (Kristi Original)

Romaine Lettuce
Red Cabbage
Carrots
Finely chopped onion
Black Berries
Blue Berries
Strawberries
Dried Mixed Berries
Pecans
Newman's Own Light Raspberry and Walnut

Chicken Cherry Salad (Similar to Damico and Son Turkey with Dried Cherries Salad)

1/2 Box of Rotini Noodles (Whole Grain)
Dried Cherries - 1/2 of a 5 Oz Bag(2.5 oz)
Almonds - 1/2 of a 8 oz bag (4 oz) **Note** Chris thought the almonds were too hard an alternative would be pecans
Grapes Halved - About 1 Cup
1/2 Onion Finely Chopped
Mayo - About 1 Cup
2 Tsp of Sugar
Sour Cream - About 1/4 a Cup
Cooked Chicken -I used one can
Olive Oil

Cook the noodles. Drain and add a little bit of olive oil to prevent sticking. Add ice to cool down the noodles quickly. Once cooled mix the noodles with the rest of the ingredients and enjoy.

Optional Alternative:
Add finely chopped celery to the above ingredients.

Taco Salad (Kristi Original)

Lettuce
Tomato
Onion
Avocado
Black Olives
Salsa
Black Beans in a can (Instructions Below)
Hot Pepper finely chopped (Jalapeno or other)
Cilantro
Garlic
Ground Cumin
Salt
Cayenne Pepper
Oil (I used coconut oil)
Cheese
Chips

Heat oil in a pan. Add onions, hot pepper, garlic, and cilantro. After cooked, add the can of black beans and add ground cumin, salt, and Cayenne pepper to taste.

Put ingredients in a bowl and enjoy. For vegan option, leave off cheese.

Chicken Salad

1 Can Chicken
1 Apple (Cut in up)
1 Cup Grapes (Sliced)
1/2 Cup Pecans
2/3 Cup Mayo
2 Tbsp Sour Cream
2 Tsp Sugar

Mix Together. Estimated amounts, adjust for taste.

Bearwander Pasta Salad

6oz Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
1/4 Cup Mayo
1 Tsp Beau Monde Seasoning
1-1/3 Cup Corkscrew Pasta (Up to 3 Cups Dry)
1/4 Cup Onion Chopped
1/4 Cup Green or Red Pepper
11oz Can Mandarin Oranges
8oz Sliced Water Chestnuts
1 Cup Seedless Grapes Halved
1-1/2 Cup Sliced Celery
1/2 Tsp Salt
2 Cups Cooked Chicken
1/4 Tsp Pepper

Mix dressing, mayo, and Beau Monde Seasoning. Cook, drain, and cool the pasta. Use more pasta to stretch and less meat. Combine all ingredients saving the oranges and grapes to fold in last.

With 3 cups of dried pasta = 9-10 cups. Searves 8

Summer Celebration Salad (Kristi Original)

Spinach (Romaine works too)
Strawberries
Pecans
Dried Cherries
Finely Chopped Onion
Newman's Own Light Cranberry Walnut Dressing

Mix and serve.