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Enjoying August’s Harvest

Jul 28, 2018 ● By Janie Maxwell

Photo courtesy of Janie Maxwell

This month, the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA) features a recipe from Maria Terry, chef and owner of Bleuroot Restaurant (Bleuroot.com), 98 West Main Street, in West Dundee. ILFMA Executive Director Janie Maxwell says, “Try out this recipe for a fabulous taste of summer! Fresh peaches, heirloom tomatoes and artisan bread are featured for an amazing flavor combination.”

        Bleuroot is the site of an exquisite farm to table summer feast being held August 23 to benefit the Illinois Farmers Market Association. All food, wine and spirits served will feature local products in amazing flavor combinations.

 

Heirloom Tomato and Peach Panzanella Salad

This salad is a colorful combination of heirloom tomatoes and juicy peaches, tossed with toasted rustic bread.

Yields: 4 Servings

Rustic Bread

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

½ loaf market-fresh French or focaccia
    bread, cut into 1” cubes

Pinch of salt

Salad

2 cups roughly chopped heirloom tomatoes
    cut into 1 inch chunks

1 cup chopped peach, cut into 1” chunks
    (I peeled mine)

12 basil leaves, torn

2 Tbsp peach balsamic

3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

To prepare the croutons, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the cubed bread on a large rimmed baking sheet and add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil (depending on how much of the bread you’re using) and a pinch of salt. Toss together until the bread is well coated and bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.

To assemble the salad, place the tomatoes, peach and torn basil leaves in a large bowl. Add the peach balsamic, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, and stir until combined. Stir in the rustic bread cubes and allow to sit at room temperature for a minimum of 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

The Illinois Farmers Market Association supports local food and food systems by giving Illinois farmers’ markets and producers access to resources, education and connections in order to grow healthier and economically vibrant communities. For more information, visit ilfma.org. For information about the event or to buy tickets, visit ilfma.org.