August may be hot in Upstate South Carolina, but the farmers markets are still full of color.
This is one of my favorite times of year to shop locally because you can still find the vegetables we associate with summer while a few late-summer crops begin appearing.
Tomatoes Are Still on the Table
If you have been waiting all year for a good tomato sandwich, August is not the time to stop.
Look for ripe tomatoes in all shapes and sizes, along with peppers, cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash. Depending on the farmer and the weather, you may also find plenty of green beans and butter beans.
These are the vegetables that make an August supper easy. Add sliced tomatoes, fresh corn and beans, and you really do not need much else.
Sweet Corn, Okra and Peppers
Sweet corn is still available during August in South Carolina, although supplies can vary as the month progresses.
Okra loves our summer heat and is another farmers market favorite. Whether you fry it, roast it, put it in soup, or pickle it, this is the time of year to enjoy it fresh.
Peppers are plentiful too. You may find everything from sweet bell peppers to hotter varieties.
Peaches Are Still Worth Looking For
South Carolina peaches continue into August, although we are moving toward the latter part of peach season.
For me, that means eating them while we still can.
Fresh peaches are wonderful by themselves, sliced over cereal, baked into a cobbler or cut in half and put on the grill.
Watermelons and cantaloupes are also typical summer finds, making August a good month to stock the refrigerator with cold fruit.
Watch for Muscadines
As we move farther into August, keep an eye out for muscadines.
They are one of those distinctly Southern fruits that tell us summer is beginning to change. You may also start seeing a few apples depending on the variety and where they were grown.
Do Not Forget What Is Not Produce
One of the pleasures of visiting a local farmers market is that the vegetables are only part of it.
Depending on the market, you may find fresh eggs, local honey, baked goods, jams and jellies, flowers, herbs, and homemade items.
Every week can be a little different.
Go Early and Ask Questions
August heat affects both crops and people, so I like going to the market early.
The selection is usually better, and you have more time to talk with the farmers.
Ask what was picked that morning. Ask what is coming next week. And if you see something unfamiliar, ask how they cook it.
That conversation is part of what makes shopping at a local farmers market different from buying produce at the grocery store.
August is still summer in Oconee County, and our farmers markets are one of the best places to taste it.
Comments(3)