8 fresh meals to make with seasonal farmers’ market produce in Victoria

Everyone knows the best meals are those made with fresh, local ingredients, and luckily there’s plenty to be found right here on Vancouver Island. 

See also: 12 Greater Victoria farmers’ markets you need to visit this summer

Here’s a collection of recipes made with seasonal produce to guide your farmers’ market shopping this summer:

Ingredient: Strawberries

Recipe: Strawberry Ice Cream

Fresh strawberries and ice cream are both synonymous with summer. Combining the two will literally make the clouds part and birds sing.

What you will need:

• 4 cups finely chopped strawberries
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
• A pinch of sea salt
• 1 cup whipping cream
• Optional, but recommended: 2 tablespoons vodka

Ingredient: Cucumbers

Recipe: Cucumber Dill Salad

Fresh herbs are also in season! This is an easy-to-make, clean-tasting salad that’ll feel right at home at a summer potluck.

What you will need:

• 4 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 small while onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tbsp dried dill, or to taste

Ingredient: Beets

Recipe: Roasted Baby Beets

Simple and sweet with just a touch of fresh rosemary, this recipe lets garden-fresh beets shine.

What you will need:

• 30 baby beets (each 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter; about 5 bunches), unpeeled, all but 1 inch of tops trimmed, rinsed
• 4 large fresh rosemary sprigs, plus additional sprigs for garnish
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Ingredient: Carrots

Recipe: Carrot and Ginger Soup

Soup doesn’t have to be relegated to winter, especially not when you’ve got a gorgeous bundle of carrots just begging to be blended with coconut milk and aromatic ginger.

What you will need:

• 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil or other neutral oil
• 1 small onion chopped
• 2 Tbsp. fresh ginger chopped
• 1 clove garlic finely chopped
• 4 cups sliced carrots
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk or regular milk

Ingredient: Chard

Recipe: Baked Chard Chips

This recipe calls for garlic and chili powder, but you can dress your chard up with whatever spices you desire. Personal favourite: curry and cumin.

What you will need:

• 3 large Swiss chard leaves
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• pinch of garlic powder
• pinch of chile powder

Ingredient: Spinach

Recipe: Sausage, Spinach and Apple Breakfast Sandwiches

Perfect way to start the day. Look for apples and eggs at the market, too!

What you will need:

• 3 1/2 tablespoons canola mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grainy Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 ounces turkey breakfast sausage
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 4 whole-wheat English muffins, split and toasted
• 1/2 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced

Ingredient: Arugula

Recipe: Spaghetti with Lemon, Arugula, and Prosciutto

This spicy leafy green can be used to add a little kick to nearly any salad or pasta dish. This minimalist recipe puts it front and centre.

What you will need:

• 12 oz. spaghetti
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon, plus 1/2 for garnish
• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 oz. prosciutto
• 4 cup arugula
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Ingredient: Blackberries

Recipe: Blackberry Pie

Canned filling doesn’t hold a candle to its fresh-picked compatriot. Serve with the strawberry ice cream above to experience pure bliss.

What you will need: