Spice It Up Fresh herbs are in season at farmers’ markets and produce stands Story by Shannon Serpette Photos by David Cook
W
hile fruits and vegetables generally get all the glory in the summer, herbs are also an important part of any home kitchen. And with warm weather hitting, now is the time to explore the world of herbs. The Illinois Valley has plenty of places to get them – you can grow your own in your backyard or buy fresh herbs at grocery stores, produce stands, or farmers’ markets. If you’re looking for some farmers’ markets that have fresh herbs for sale, here are a few possibilities to explore: The LaSalle farmers’ market is from 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday until the end of September. It’s located at the intersection of Route 351 and Maple Road at the northwest corner of Hegeler Park. The Mendota farmers’ market is from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the downtown Main
Street next to the Amtrak station. The Ladd farmers’ market is from 4 to 6 p.m. every Monday except Labor Day from June 14 to September at Ladd Memorial Park on Main Street. The Princeton farmers’ market is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through October at Soldiers and Sailors Park in Princeton. The Spring Valley farmers’ market will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, from June 23 until Oct. 6, at the corner of Route 6 and Cornelia St. in Spring Valley. If you decide to grow your own, herbs require little care and often do well in the ground or in containers. Mint is best planted in containers since it tends to spread easily. And if you need some recipes using fresh herbs, we’ve included a few of our favorites for inspiration.
Basil, Tomato, and Feta Salad INGREDIENTS: Six diced roma tomatoes 1 small cucumber, peeled and chopped 3 green onions or 1/2 of a red onion 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese Salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS: In a big bowl, gently toss the tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, olive oil, basil, vinegar, and feta cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
20 June 2021 | Illinois Valley Woman | A NewsTribune Publication
