Seasonal Eating

Bedford County Farmers Market Opening Thursday, June 22, 2023

The Bedford County Farmers Market at the Celebration Pavilion next to the big blue water tower at Celebration Grounds will open on Thursday, June 22, at 2:30 pm. Hope to see you there to get local produce, baked goods and other food items! No early sales – opens at 2:30 pm and goes until sold out or crowd dwindles (around 4:00 pm). Parking is free! Open each Thursday throughout the season.

What’s in Season for Early Spring?

Asparagus, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Herbs, Mushrooms, Greens (collards, kale, chard), Lettuces, Spinach, Spring Onions, Peas, Raspberries, Strawberries

What’s Cooking Now?   

Greens!

Braised Chicken Thighs with Collards​
Braised Chicken Thighs with Collards

Spring farmers markets are full of leafy greens.  From the more tender salad greens like spinach and arugula to heartier kale and collards, greens are a powerhouse of nutrition and bring a freshness of spring to our table as we transition from winter to summer.

Greens are full of vitamins like A, C and K along with minerals like iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium.  They are also full of phytonutrients and antioxidants like carotenoids.  Dark leafy greens help protect against some types of cancer along with heart disease.  We should be eating dark green leafy vegetables every week for optimum nutrition.

Greens are great in a salad, especially the baby greens that are more tender.  You can also use the greens cooked as a vegetable side dish or as a part of other dishes like soups, omelets, stuffed mushrooms, lasagna and casseroles.

There are many types of greens.  Good salad greens include arugula, spinach, leaf lettuces, butterhead (Bibb) lettuce and romaine.  Some sturdier greens for cooking are bok choy, mustard greens, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, beet greens and turnip greens.

Here are some recipes to get you started eating your greens this spring:

Spring Spinach Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Spinach and Beet Salad

Sally’s Spinach Salad

Chicken Spinach Strawberry Salad

Layered Ham and Spinach Salad

Sauteed Kale with Bacon, Mushrooms and Onion

Balsamic Sauteed Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard with Peas and Ham

Braised Chicken Thighs with Collards

Grilled Fish over Spinach with Lemon Ginger Sauce

Mushroom, Leek and Spinach Frittata

Spinach Tart

Collard Green Stuffed Mushrooms

Warm Artichoke and Collard Greens Dip

Check out the Produce Information Pages Below:

Eat Seasonally!

Seasonal Eating is all about eating what is growing here and now.  A tomato doesn’t taste nearly as good in January when it is out-of-season as it does in July when it comes directly from the grower to you or to the grocery store.  Produce eaten when it is in-season tastes better and maintains more of its nutrients.  Eating with the seasons also helps reduce transportation, saving gas and emissions, as well as helps to support our local growers and local economy.  

To eat seasonally, try growing your own produce this Spring and Summer to use throughout the growing season and preserve what you can’t use through freezing or canning. Another option is to frequent the local farmer’s markets.  Even when shopping at the grocery stores, focus on what is seasonal for that month.

To see what is growing in Tennessee each month take a look at the Seasonal Eating Chart for Tennessee​.

Collard Greens
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Sweet Peppers
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Summer Squash
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Strawberries
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Spinach
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Potatoes
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Sweet Potatoes
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Carrots
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Snap Beans
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Cabbage
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Chard
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The Seasonal Kitchen Videos:

Know Your Carrots
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Know Your Sweet Peppers
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Know Your Collards
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Know Your Sweet Potatoes
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Know Your Snap Beans
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Know Your Summer Squash
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Pasta Stuffed Peppers
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Roasted Pork Tenderloin & Sweet Carrot Chutney
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Braised Chicken Thighs with Collards​
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Cranberry Orange Sweet Potatoes
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Green Beans with Tangy Vinaigrette
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Chicken Sausage and Summer Vegetable Sauté​
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