Colorado Farmers Markets & Summer Salad Recipes
Summer is here, and I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait! What I love most about summer is the abundant fresh produce at the local farmer’s markets. It’s that time of year to dust off the grill and fire up some tasty treats! My favorite grill food is vegetables sprinkled with some garlic salt and pepper, simple but delicious. I’ll feature some of my favorite Farmer’s Markets in Colorado and summer salads to savor all the fresh produce. The cool nights and warm sunny days in Colorado make fruits such as peaches, melons, and grapes, juicy and bursting with flavor. There’s talk that the peach crop will be especially good this year.
My hometown of Salida, Colorado has a wonderful Farmer’s Market at Alpine Park near downtown. There are bakeries, local farm produce stands, grass fed meats, and many artisans. One favorite is the Amish Families that make jellies and jams, pasta, breads, and to-die-for Fry Pies. These are single serving size pies filled with blackberry and cream cheese, strawberry, and all sorts of fun flavors, drizzled with a light frosting glaze. Outrageously good! And so worth the calories, at least once.
Another favorite is Rama’s Bread and Sweets. He makes the most delicious bread filled with Nutella or Green Chile, Chocolate Baklava, Kunefe (shredded phyllo dough wrapped around Mozzarella Cheese served warm and drizzled with honey, Birds Nest (shredded phyllo dough wrapped around walnuts with honey) and Turkish Cookies with Semolina Flour. His desserts are a work of art that melt in your mouth with crunchy flaky pastry laced with honey. But there’s more to the story of Rama and given the freedom we have in the US and remembering the service men and women who’ve protected our freedom with their lives, I felt compelled to share Rama’s story.
Rama's Story
Where Rama grew up in the farmlands of Turkey, they grow wheat, their main staple of sustenance. Bread translates in Kurdish language to mean anything they eat is called bread. Bread is what they make that is essential for sustenance, not only bread. They call it, the bread of the morning for breakfast, the bread of the noon meal and so on. The meaning of Breaking Bread dates to biblical times and means to have a meal with someone, breaking off chunks of bread, to ensure everyone has something to eat.
Rama is from Turkey but is Kurdish by culture. Rama came to the U.S. through a student exchange program with a 3-month Visa and worked in a kitchen as a baker and dishwasher. His plan was to return to Turkey but while he was here a political coup happened and the Kurdish people were being criminalized and persecuted by the Turkish government for their expression of Kurdish Culture. Fearing for his freedom if he returned to Turkey, he applied for asylum. It is still very dangerous there; everyone he knows wants to leave Turkey. The economy and social life is very unbearable. Rama said, “My whole life in Turkey, I had to hide my identity and I started feeling bad about who I was.”
After coming to the U.S., everything changed because when he said he was Kurdish, people were curious to learn about it. He began hosting Kurdish nights to share his culture, music, and dancing which has helped him connect with the community here in Salida. He is happy to be in a country where he has the freedom to express who he really is. He says, “I’m really thankful to be here and serve the community by sharing the gift of cooking and baking.”
His shop is located at 211 F Street in Salida, and he will also be a vendor at the summer farmer’s market starting the first Saturday in June. He will be offering Kurdish meals for lunch at the F Street location and has just started dinner service at the Local 146 Brewery. We had the pleasure of sampling a delicious chicken and beef meal with a savory tomato sauce, peppers & onions, bulgur wheat, and tomato cucumber salad. Absolutely delicious!
Other Favorite Farmers Markets
Another favorite of mine is Denver’s, Pearl Street Market. It is one of the biggest markets in the Denver area and comparable to Boulder’s. They feature an abundance of produce and a plethora of crafty vendors from pottery to plants and so much more.
Boulder Farmers Market located at 13th Street next to Central Park is ranked #13 of 127 things to do in Boulder according to Tripadvisor Traveler Rating. There are many local farms that share an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as specialty vinegars, cheese makers, music, and family friendly activities. This market is open twice a week on Wednesdays from 4-8 pm, May through October and Saturday’s 8-2 pm, April through November.
Golden Farmers Market is picturesque, positioned next Clear Creek with live music, food trucks and plenty of vendors. One of my favorites is the cheese vendor with large wheels of imported cheese from Italy and France. Smoky ash Manchego and Cabernet infused cheeses that are delectable.
Click here for a listing of all Colorado’s farmers markets. You can always find a Farmers’ Market no matter where you are in Colorado.
Easy Broccoli Coleslaw
1 package of Broccoli Slaw Mix
½ Cup Raisins
½ Cup Slivered Almonds
½ Medium Onion
Dressing
½ Cup Mayonnaise
1 T Lemon Juice
1 T Apple Cider Vinegar
2 T Sugar
¼ teas Salt and Pepper
¼ teas Onion Powder
Optional: Parsley or Cilantro
This recipe is so easy and comes together in less than 10 minutes. Chop the onion, add the pre-chopped Broccoli Slaw Mix, Raisins, Almonds in a bowl. Mix the dressing together in a separate bowl, then toss together with the other ingredients. This recipe is pictured with some extra cabbage I had in the fridge but I’ve prepared it with or without. The sweetness of the Raisins with the crunchy Almonds and slightly tart dressing make this a wonderful flavor combination.
Favorite Summer Salads
