Market Umbrella is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3), based in New Orleans, whose mission is to cultivate the power of farmers markets to drive economic and community health in the region. Market Umbrella has operated the Crescent City Farmers Markets (CCFM) since 1995.
Recipe Archive
What’s your favorite dish to make after visiting the Crescent City Farmers Market? Share your recipes with us on Instagram or Facebook and it might be featured in our weekly newsletter!
Hibiscus Quesadillas (Quesadilla con Flor de Jamaica)
Dried hibiscus tea leaves are bright, beautiful, and available from Ms. Portia at NOLA Botanical Tea! The flower has lately been marketed as a health food and meat substitute. In this recipe from the New York Times, the hibiscus flowers are rehydrated and fragrantly sautéed with onion and jalapeños or cayenne. Pick your peppers from Poche Family Farms or Isabel’s Tamales and Produce. Substitute quesillo and Monterey cheeses with mozzarella or cheddar from T&R Dairy Farm. This quick, delicious meal uses up the entire hibiscus tea flower and is a great vegetarian alternative!
Blistered Shishito Peppers with Basil Salt
Pick yourself up some basil and shishito peppers, find them both with Poche Family Farm, and take a whack at this Blistered Shishito recipe by Giada de Laurentiis. Shishito peppers range from mildly spicy to even a bit sweet. Occasionally, you’ll come across one that has a serious kick. This charred, crunchy, smokey snack results in a fun roulette, who’s gonna pick the spicy pepper?
Stuffed Okra Poppers
While okra is a southern staple deserving of our attention and admiration, it’s easy to feel like cooking with okra is somewhat limiting. You can bake it, fry it, and enjoy it in gumbo of course, but are there any other ways to serve it? Introducing Stuffed Okra Poppers! This recipe from Southern Living is a fun way to change up our okra-eating habits. Believe it or not okra also serves as a great milder alternative to traditional jalapeno poppers for those who enjoy the milder side of life.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Grab yourself a packet of Sassy Cajun Garlic Dip, milk and butter from T&R Dairy, shrimp from Pete and Clara’s or Anna Marie Seafood, and pasta from Costantini at market to whip together this deliciously creamy shrimp pasta! This recipe comes to us courtesy of Sassy Cajun Spices, and it is a shrimp-ly mouthwatering recipe with many key ingredients found at market.
Chorizo Shakshuka
This Chorizo Shakshuka from Tasty is deliciously satisfying and relatively versatile. Chorizo can easily be substituted for a different sausage, like Sunset Oaks’ Andouille, Italian, or Jalapeño Smoked Pork sausages. Bolster the dish with seasonal vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or potatoes for a more nutritious and filling meal. Top the Shashuka with a little more flavor with Huckleberry Farm’s marinated feta. Check here to see if a vendor that may carry eggs is at market.
Beefy Tortellini Skillet
This Tortellini Skillet recipe from How Sweet Eats makes for an incredibly easy, delicious, and hearty weeknight dish! Grab some beef from Black Creek along with a bit of T&R Dairy’s fresh mozzarella and Costantini’s Marinara sauce to whip together this mouth-watering comfort meal. You can even throw in some chopped zucchini, fresh herbs, or other seasonal veggies if you’d like!
Oven Roasted Figs
It’s officially fig season in Louisiana, and it’s kind of a Fig Deal! What is not to love about Figs? Figs are high in antioxidants, aid in digestion, and can even promote healthy skin! They’re like nature’s candy and a summer beauty supplement all in one. Enjoy a sweet summer treat with this simple oven-roasted fig recipe from give recipe. Serve with ice cream or yogurt from T&R Dairy to truly take it to the next level!
Cucumber, Tomato, and Herb Salad
Summer is officially here! This light and refreshing cucumber, tomato, and herb salad by Louisiana Cookin is the perfect summer side or starter. It’s bursting with color and flavor, beautifully showcasing a plethora of seasonal produce! It’s hot as fish grease out there! Rehydrate your body with these crunchy, juicy veggies (and fruits), and enjoy this stove-free meal! Fat Cat Farms, a new vendor at the Thursday Mid-City Market, has tarragon right now. She says people come in search of it, so try to arrive early to get your hands on some herbaceous goodness. Find as many ingredients in the recipe as you can at market, and you can substitute the fontina cheese for marinated feta or flavored goat cheese from Huckleberry Farms or T&R Dairy’s fresh mozzarella!
Baked Ricotta
This baked ricotta recipe from Rosemary Molloy is wonderfully simple, deliciously creamy, and versatile! It can be served hot or cold with crackers, crostini, roasted vegetables, or even on top of pasta. The simple ingredients make this a great recipe when you need to serve something impressive in a pinch! Topped with juicy tomatoes at peak season. Add fresh basil and oregano from market for a tasty dip perfect for your summer soirée.
Potato, Squash, & Goat Cheese Gratin
Grab yourself some goat cheese from Huckleberry’s Creamery and get cracking on this delectable gratin from the kitchn! This comforting recipe incorporates fresh goat cheese with thin slices of summer squash and potatoes for a tasty, affordable, and filling addition to any main course. And most of the ingredients are currently in season locally!
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About Us
The Crescent City Farmers Market operates weekly year-round throughout New Orleans. The CCFM hosts 70+ local small farmers, fishers, and food producers, and more than 150,000 shoppers annually.