A Summer Salad with Fresh Ingredients from The Port Royal Farmer’s Market
Well Hello Summer! In our house, we like to keep summer meals as fresh, light, and easy as possible. One of our absolute favorites is the crowd-pleasing strawberry goat cheese salad. Fresh produce for this summer salad demands a trip to a local staple, The Port Royal Farmer’s Market. The Port Royal Farmers Market is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9:00am - Noon. Located in Heritage Park on Ribaut Road, the farmer’s market features the best local produce, seafood, beef, cheese, honey, flowers & even live music!
My first stop on my journey through the market is at the Bootleg Farm tent to pick up my favorite local goat cheese. They are great at steering me in the right direction, depending on my recipe or drink pairings. (Side note, you really should visit their website for an entire gallery of the cute goats on the farm!)
The Port Royal Farmer’s Market has several great options for greens and other produce, but today I stopped to grab my arugula from Penny Acre Micro Greens. She has shared some great recipe ideas with me! I also stopped at 3 Sisters Organic Farm to pick up spinach and red onions. These ladies have the best group of farmers, someone is always willing to stop and teach me something new about the produce I’m buying. Fun fact: Old world carrots are naturally purple! It’s also a must to grab Strawberries from The Gruber Family CSA Farm. These beauties are incredibly aromatic. I usually grab enough for dinner, snacks, and of course strawberry shortcake.
Not an official ingredient, but absolutely necessary is a fresh bouquet for the table. I adore the flowers from Wimbee Creek Farm. My day at the farmer’s market always feels complete with a basket full of fresh flower cuttings. Pick out your own bouquet or let the talented gardeners do the arranging for you the next time you visit. If you consider yourself a natural, or would like a little help learning more about the art of flower styling, the ladies at Wimbee Creek Farm even offers arrangement workshops!
Thanks for joining me today for our little trip to a local favorite. Check out the recipe below to see how I throw it all together for the perfect summer salad.
Recipe: Ingredients
¼ medium sized red onion sliced, soaked in salt water
4 loosely packed cups of arugula and/or spinach leaves
8 oz strawberries sliced (about 1 ½ cups sliced)
4 oz goat cheese crumbled
½ cup pecans homemade
1-2 tablespoon of white vinegar
1 tablespoon of maple syrup
2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt to taste
Instructions
For the Maple Vinaigrette: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or a jar. Stir/shake together right before pouring over greens.
Toss the onions and greens in the vinaigrette dressing.
Layer the strawberry slices, goat cheese and pecans on top.
Toss again table-side and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Notes:
If you don’t have maple syrup on hand, you can use equal parts balsamic and EVOO.
Set the table with your fresh arrangement from Wimbee Creek Farms.
This salad would make a great side, or a main course— just add a meat of your choice. I like to grill up some chicken, glazed in honey or maple syrup, chop, and toss with the greens.