Favorite Farmers Market Recipes
Explore seasonal, easy recipes made with the freshest produce from Northern Virginia’s local markets. Got a favorite recipe? Send it in!
Summer Farmers Market Panzanella Salad

A refreshing salad using ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and crusty bread—perfect for showcasing summer’s bounty!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (day-old works best)
- 2 cups ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 1 large cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, until crisp but not hard. Let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and basil.
- Add the toasted bread and toss gently.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Let sit for 15–30 minutes for the bread to absorb the juices. Toss again and serve at room temperature.
Tips: Try adding market-fresh sweet peppers, mozzarella, or grilled corn!
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Have a favorite way to use farmers market produce? Email us at [email protected] and we might feature it here!