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Food & Fun at the Ridgewood Farmer's Market

Tips and Recipes From A Day At The Ridgewood Farmer's Market

By Lisa Pisano July 10, 2013
What better way to spend a summer Sunday morning than with some good food and quality family time? And what better place to do so than in Ridgewood?

The free parking, slower pace and delightful family brunch possibilities along E. Ridgewood Avenue make for a relaxed and leisurely weekend excursion. Whether you plan to dig into colossal pancakes at the Country Pancake House or have a hip family brunch at Raymond’s, there are great breakfast or lunch options suitable for the entire family (The Daily Treat is very popular, too!)

After the bellies are full, plan to head on up to Gerber Square to hit the Ridgewood Farmer’s Market, open on Sundays from 9am-3pm now thru October 27th.  Select from Jersey-grown fruits, vegetables, plants as well as pickles, fresh breads and baked goods and some pretty awesome hand-stretched-on-the-spot fresh mozzarella.  


My family and I were able to stock up on fresh, locally grown tomatoes, Kirby cukes, broccoli and kale for the week, in addition to artisan peasant bread, focaccia and “wet” mozzarella.  I was thrilled to even bring home a basil plant, and am confident that I’ll make it last well throughout the season, thanks to some helpful advice from one of the market workers. (Tip: keep the basil plant in the pot and cut them about half way down the stem for a continuous bloom throughout the season.) 

With the Ridgewood Train Station just steps from the Farmer’s Market, my husband was able to keep my son occupied (he LOVES trains!) while I shopped the market.

Tips Before You Go:
  • Bring CASH.
  • If you don't want to walk too far, park in the train station lot or better yet, on the West side of Gerber Square down one of the side streets.
  • Bring your reusable grocery totes or a canvas bag to comfortably carry your purchases.
Now, what to do with all those goodies??  Here are a few recipe ideas, using your Farmer’s Market purchases.


Farmer’s Market Lunch: Caprese Sandwiches



Ingredients:
Rustic Bread
Jersey Tomato, sliced in rounds
Fresh Basil
Fresh Mozzarella, sliced in rounds
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Dried Oregano
Fresh ground pepper and sea salt for taste

Steps:
-Slice your bread in half and toast on grill (or in grill pan or toaster oven) for few minutes until crispy.
-Layer a few pieces of mozzarella, tomato and basil.
-Drizzle EVOO, sprinkle dried oregano, pepper and salt.
-Optional: put sandwich back on grill (grill pan, or toaster) for few additional minutes to further melt the cheese.


Farmer’s Market Dinner: One-Pot Pasta with Broccoli
Check out Mom A La Mode’s One-Pot Pasta with Broccoli recipe here.

Nothing like keeping things fresh and local on a Sunday in Ridgewood!  For more information, visit http://experienceridgewood.com or call 201-445-2600.

Enjoy!


About the Author
Lisa Pisano, is the Creator & Editorial Director of mom a la mode, where the topics of food, fashion, pop culture and family life are celebrated through first-person accounts, product reviews and giveaways.  When she’s not helping clients find their social media North Star through her consulting practice, Groupe a la Mode LLC, you’ll find her tweeting from @momalamode, updating her blog’s Facebook fan page and having fun throughout Bergen County with her husband and toddler son.