Fresh Veggies

One in eight Ohioans is connected to farming or production in some way, and this time of year the state’s bounty is on full display. From farmer markets to roadside stands to community gardens, you can find tomatoes, corn and peppers and lots of other fresh farm-to-table produce.And there’s lots of benefits to eating local produce, starting with the environment.

 According to Healthline:

“Local food travels a shorter distance to markets and stores than products that come from other areas. Thus, their transport usually contributes to less pollution and fewer carbon emissions than foods that necessitate longer trips. A lot of local foods, especially produce, are sold at farm stands without packaging. Plus, you can bring your own reusable bags to carry the items home. This equates to less waste, particularly of plastic packaging and plastic bags. Finally, supporting local farmers helps maintain green spaces and farmland in your area. Local farms that use sustainable practices may boost biodiversity, protect pollinators that are vital to healthy ecosystems, and promote clean air, water, and soil.”

And local produce is fresher, which means it’s more nutritious and tastier, and your purchase supports the local economy.

So let’s start shopping.

Nearby farm markets

The Oberlin Farmers Market is open every Saturday (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) through Oct. 12 but it’s always fun and interesting to visit other farmers market and it’s easy too, thanks to the Ohio Department of Agriculture directory.

Also helpful is the Ohio Farm Bureau’s “what’s in season” chart, from apples (August to November) to watermelon (September to October).

Other Lorain County destinations for local produce include: 

• Fowl’s Farm Market in Elyria. Along with produce, you can buy Amish baked goods, frozen meats from local producers and local honey and pasture-raised brown eggs.
• Grobe Fruit Farm in Elyria. This six-generation market just celebrated its sweet corn festival, but corn as well as tomatoes, green beans and other season veggies are plentiful.
• Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights. Pick your own peaches, and soon apple picking are pillars of this nearly 100-year-old market and new this year is Real Fruit Ice Cream, made with orchard-grown fruits – strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, peach and cherry.

 Kendal’s Community Gardens

No surprise that Kendal is home to many gardeners, many who continue their pastime in one of the 34 community garden plots (photographed below).

Water and hoses, a shed equipped with all sorts of gardening tools and a dumpster for recycling plant materials lightens the load for residents.

Residents use the gardens primarily to grow vegetables, says Nick Long, who maintains 2 ½ plots for blueberries, greens, tomatoes, peppers, green beans and more. This year Kendal Sous Chef Shontea Jackson took on two plots to grow herbs to use in dishes from the dining room.

Nick and his wife Lillie also have a herb garden by their cottage and like many gardeners share excess bounty with neighbors.

One of Lillie’s favorite summer dishes is Ratatouille, using ingredients from their garden or nearby markets. Here is her recipe, which she always tweaks depending on what is fresh at the time. 

Ratatouille

• About ½ cup olive oil
• Eggplant peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (we had about two gallons of the small pink and purple)
• 2-3 medium zucchini trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes (I don’t peel them)
• 2-3 large onions cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2-3 green, red or yellow bell peppers cored, seeded, and cut into 1-inch squares
• Tomatoes—peeled, halved, seeded, and coarsely cubed ( I only had 3 or 4 large fresh tomatoes so I used two small cans of chopped tomatoes and I can of tomato paste. )
• 1 whole large head of garlic, peeled and chopped
• Oregano and Thyme – about a tablespoon of each
• About one cup water
• Paul Prudhomme Magic Salt Free Seasoning or any seasoning you prefer
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Sauté the vegetables in a large pot and then add the tomatoes and water and let cook covered, on low heat, for 1 ½ hours. Stir often and add more water if it starts to stick.

It can be served hot as a side dish or over pasta, or cold over cream cheese and served with crackers or baguette slices.

In the past, Molly Kavanaugh frequently wrote about Kendal at Oberlin for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, where she was a reporter for 16 years. Now we are happy to have her writing for the Kendal at Oberlin Community.

About Kendal at Oberlin: Kendal is a nonprofit life plan community serving older adults in northeast Ohio. Located about one mile from Oberlin College and Conservatory, and about a 40 minute drive from downtown Cleveland, Kendal offers a vibrant resident-led lifestyle with access to music, art and lifelong learning.