Summer is the best time to enjoy the bounty of fresh vegetable goodness the rich soil our home state of Illinois provides us. Summer grilling usually means steak, ribs, chicken, burgers, and dogs. But when you fire up the grill, remember to leave room for the corn, summer squash, and eggplant. It may not come from Illinois, but if you can get your hands on a pineapple, try grilling slices of this juicy fruit – marinate with a little soy sauce or teriyaki and top your cheeseburger with that baby. Yummm!
Grow your own!
You may not realize it, but mid-summer is the time to plant some of those early fall veggies. One of the best things to plant is the ever-versatile cucumber. If you have a good location in your backyard with lots of sun, you have the perfect location to grow these beauties. Nothing tastes better than the vegetables you grow in your own yard.
Important things to note when growing cukes:
- Cucumber plants have shallow roots, so you need to keep them well-watered. The soil has to be kept moist all the way through the growth stages.
- The plants need lots of space. Make your rows five to six feet apart. If your yard is too small, you can grow them up a trellis or a fence.
- Use compost or manure mixed in the soil before planting.
- Pick them when you see they are green all the way around and are nice and firm. Please don’t wait too long, or they will not have that crispness.
- Put them in the fridge after you pick them.
Cucumbers are great in salads, sliced up on their own, as a fresh element on a sandwich, and even in a cocktail. They’ve become trendy in fancy martinis to add a lightness to the drink. Skip the alcohol and add slices to your water to give it a little punch. Look up ways to pickle them and brine them for homemade pickles.
Some other things that can be planted in mid to late summer include beets, broccoli, carrots, kale, and lettuce. You will enjoy the fruits of your labor in many ways, so get planting.
If you’re not into growing your own veggies, don’t worry. You can always pick up everything you need at the Friday night Farmers Market downtown. You will get all the locally grown veggies you need to make your Dinner sing.
Farm to table is all the rage – Join the Marshall Chamber for a wonderful dinner.
If you want to experience the bounty of our farmers market and local growers without having to cook, get your tickets to the Farm to Table Dinner presented by the Marshall Chamber of Commerce. The event is being held at Harlan Hall in Marshall. The Dinner is on August 5th, and the vendors from the Marshall Farmers Market are sourcing all the food. Tickets are $40 per person, and the meal includes a vegetable bruschetta appetizer, salad, chicken, fresh veggies for the main course, and ice cream and fresh berries for dessert. Get tickets by registering at this link – https://www.chamberorganizer.com/mem…/evr/reg_event.php…
Sock Hop at Harlow’s Diner
It may not all be farm-to-table, but the food is always great, and the fun abounds at Harlow’s Dinner at 518 Archer Ave, Marshall, Illinois.
On July 29th, they are holding their Sock Hop! This is a free, family-friendly event; if you miss this one, they will do it again on August 19th. Bring the kids, the parents, the grandparents, and the lawn chair. Anyone who grew up in the ’50s or ’60s will remember these great songs. For those born later, this is a wonderful way to learn about this iconic music, the dances, and the cars that graced that period.
As always, there is lots of summer fun in Marshall. Get out and enjoy the excellent weather and the fresh summer bounty of local fruits and veggies. Stay happy and healthy, Marshall!!
