It’s farmers market season. Here’s a look at the Colorado crops that await.
Jumbo scallops served with grilled corn succotash, corn purée, and beurre rouge from Mawa’s Kitchen in Aspen.
Courtesy Kinship Company
Spring showers bring May flowers — and, more importantly, farmers market season. Though Colorado is known mostly for its Rocky Ford cantaloupe, Olathe sweet corn and Palisade peaches, regional farmers grow so much more. Here, a guide to some of the other produce you’ll encounter at the market this summer — plus, two recipes to make the most of your fresh finds.
Leafy Greens
Spinach, kale, cabbage. They all grow well in this state’s cool climate, which is why Colorado is one of the country’s top lettuce producers. Many of these greens are accessible nearly year-round.
Onions
Local farmers generally grow what are known as storage onions, so they are harvested in fall and winter. By the time we enjoy them, they’ve matured to the point of intense flavor. White, yellow, red and pearl varieties are available.
Peppers
Pueblo’s green chiles are, of course, the star of the local nightshades. But the Centennial State is also ripe with bell peppers, jalapeños, habaneros, serranos and more. (Note: Most hit stands later in the summer.)
Potatoes
The San Luis Valley is a potato hot spot: the second largest fresh potato-growing region in the country, in fact. Yukon Gold, russet, fingerling, all blue, Colorado rose and purple majesty varietals are just a small taste of what’s produced in the area.
Beets
These brightly hued root vegetables are accessible starting in July. Pro tip: Vitamin-rich beet greens can be washed and used similarly to spinach or Swiss chard — simply sauté them or add them as a raw ingredient in salads.
Asparagus
One of the state’s earliest crops, these spear-topped veggies typically are harvested between mid-April and mid-June.
Carrots
Colorado carrots are sweeter. It’s true: Warm days and cool nights help condense the sugar content in these orange wonders, which show up in the middle of June.
Cherries
Cherry season begins in late June, and the sweet fruit is generally available through the end of July. Most come from the Western Slope, with Bing, Rainer and Sweetheart among the many varietals grown there.
Strawberries
These berries are considered a lower-maintenance, perennial crop — making them worth a try in your own home garden! Plus they’re ready earlier than other berries, debuting at markets in early June.
Green Beans
There’s nothing quite like the crisp snap of a green bean right off the vine. Colorado farmers grow both pole and bush beans, and the veggies become available in July.
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