We may not love the sweltering heat and temperamental storms of summer, but our gardens (and chefs!) sure do. This is how I’m choosing to channel positivity in the face of lava-hot car seats and stuck-to-my-forehead bangs: by singing the praises of fresh produce, buzzing farmer’s markets, and vibrant new dishes.
SEASONAL SPOTS
New this year, and with only two dates left, we’re loving the Fresh Fridays events at Hartness. Held on the Grand Lawn, this open-air market with local vendors, live music, and activities for everyone to enjoy is a great excuse to see the sprawling gardens and taste that same beautiful produce at the recently-opened Village Kitchen.
Hungry to experience a delicious new destination? Plan a getaway to The Swag, an inn and spa nestled in the Great Smoky mountains, where seasonal ingredients shine in inventive cocktails and showstopping dishes. Take dinner outside on the sprawling porch, where you can soak up balmy summer evenings after a day spent hiking the property’s extensive web of trails.
If you haven’t ventured outside downtown Greenville in your quest for exciting farmer’s market finds, you’re missing out. While we love the TD Saturday Market, there are literally dozens of great markets around the Upstate, hosting vendors of all kinds and boasting the best of summer’s vibrant produce. For the live music, unexpected flavors, and chances to meet new friends and neighbors, they’re well worth the drive.
SUMMER RECIPES
To those who think salad is boring, I dare you to trade that pile of arugula for this savory, crunchy, satisfyingly-smoky update to a Cobb salad—your taste buds will do a TikTok dance. Grab a bottle of crisp white wine and set an outdoor table: this Grilled Summer Salad hits all the right notes.
If your garden, like mine, is positively overflowing with summer’s favorite vegetable-that-is-actually-a-fruit, Chef Sydney Taylor would argue that you’ve got a good problem in your hands—and she wants you to make the Best Tomato Pie Recipe of 2021. This blue ribbon-winning way to neatly serve up the season’s bounty is both delicious and blissfully easy to make.
And speaking of tomatoes, gluten-free and keto-friendly diners rejoice—you’ll love this flavorful and simple main dish of summer: Steak, Shallot and Tomato Kebabs. Ditch your kitchen in favor of firing up the grill, and throw these on high heat for beautifully-blistered tomatoes and savory seared steak. Who said you had to save that bottle of red wine for winter?
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