This Saturday August 15, 2015, we’re mad about melons at the Franklin Farmers Market! Late summer is upon us and melons of all shapes, sizes, and varieties are at the peak of sweetness and arriving by the truckload. Our local farmers grow everything from watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews to more interesting selections like white-fleshed canary melons, Korean chamoe melons, and more. So don’t forget your extra-strong tote bag this Saturday, because you’ll certainly want to take home a couple sweet summer melons.

This time of year, melons are fragrant and ripe. They can be enjoyed right off the rind or in a number of dishes, both sweet and savory. We like to use them in fresh summer salads, such as our Watermelon Salad with Arugula and Feta. Their juicy sweetness is perfect to press for refreshing beverages and cocktails like a cantaloupe cooler blended with real gingerale and lime. In Spain, melons are paired with salty cured meats, and in Southeast Asia bitter melon is used to make soup. Melons are nutritious, versatile, and undeniably delicious — that’s why we are mad for melons at our farmers’ market!

Fresh cantaloupe from Paradise Produce.

But why stop at melons? Our farmers’ market has many local ingredients that can be paired with a juicy sweet melon. How about fresh mint? Or perhaps jalapenos? Maybe some red onion or salad greens? The Franklin Farmers Market has everything you need to get mad about melons at home with all your creative juices flowing.

And don’t forget!! The Franklin Farmers Market will hold its Watermelon Festival on August 29th — a fun family celebration for our most popular summer melon. Come find all your favorites — Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet, yellow/orange, and more. So see you and the family this Saturday at the Franklin Farmers Market as we get mad for crispy, juicy, sweet, summer melons!