Fresh at the Farmers' Market: Bell Peppers

Summer is winding down, but local farmers are still bringing the tastes of the season to the table via the Martinez farmers' market. Crisp, colorful and versatile, bell peppers are this week's featured product by the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association (PCFMA)

"Bell peppers change from green to red, orange, yellow, or purple as they are left on the vine to mature," explains the PCFMA. "As bell peppers mature, their sugar content increases, so they become sweeter and develop more of vitamins A and C."

"Classically, sweet bell peppers pair well with squash, eggplant, onions, and tomatoes, although their use is practically unlimited with any summer vegetable. They taste great roasted, sauteed, or raw. Add them raw to salads, cooked into stews, or pureed into sauces."

Experiment with peppers by exploring the recipes provided by PCFMA.

Producers selling peppers at the Martinez farmers' market include J&M Farms of Reedley, California and Ruiz Farms of Santa Maria, California. For a list of vendors at the Martinez farmers' market, visit the PCFMA website.

Market Schedule

Do you have a recipe using bell peppers? Share it in the comments below.