Using all local ingredients for this Tomato Sausage Pasta recipe delivers a festival of flavor each time I prepare this easy recipe. So as summer draws to a close, I am thinking of how fast the time goes when we have sweet, beautiful, vine ripe tomatoes, it always surprises me. And one of the dishes I love to make with Summer tomatoes is a quick and simple pasta dish with Italian sausages, tomatoes, garlic, basil and fresh pasta for this all local Tomato Sausage Pasta recipe. So this past weekend I picked up some fresh Casarecce pasta from Alfresco Pasta, a few red & yellow tomatoes from my friend Lauren at Bloomsbury Farm and delicious local sausages from Bill & LeeAnn Cherry at Bear Creek Farm. It was fantastic and truly captured the pure taste of Summer.

Summer Tomatoes with Sausage and Fresh Pasta

Serves 4-6
1 pound fresh Casarecce pasta
4 Italian sausages
2 pounds of vine ripe tomatoes, diced
4 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
2oz. parmesan cheese

Heat an iron skillet over medium heat, when hot add the local sausages. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until cooked trough. Remove form the skillet and set aside. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the pork fat and then add the sliced garlic, crushed red pepper and some black pepper. Sauté for 1 minute then add the diced tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook the tomatoes for 2-3 minutes until the the sauce reduces a little bit and begins to thicken. Turn off the the heat and let rest while you cook the pasta.

Using local meats like this locally blended sausage from Bear Creek Farm delivers added local flavor!

Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a sauce pan, then add a pinch of salt and then the pasta. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender. Drain the pasta but reserve a 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking liquid. As the pasta cooks slice the sausages into 1/2 inch rounds, then add them to the skillet with the tomatoes. When the pasta is ready add it to the skillet with a little of the pasta water. Turn the skillet back on to medium heat and toss everything together until the sauce begins to coat the pasta and is warmed though, about 2 minutes. When the pasta is piping hot turn off the heat and serve in shallow bowls. Quickly chop the fresh basil and divide between each bowl, then grate the parmesan over the pasta a serve. Using all local ingredients from our farmers market will deliver more flavor and a new Tomato Sausage Pasta we hope you enjoy!

Chef Michael Martin
South Fork Catering Co.

Chief Deborah Faulkner of the Franklin Police Department

The Franklin Farmers Market hosted its first annual Hometown Hero Appreciation Day at the Labor Day weekend market this past Saturday, September 3rd. Franklin is a special and unique city with a strong community. We are blessed to live in a small “big” town in which we don’t have to worry about our safety and well-being. The Franklin Farmers Market recognized the City of Franklin Police Department for their service and protection to our great city. The City of Franklin Police not only serve and protect the citizens of Franklin, but also provide education and resources. We are especially appreciative to have Officer David direct our market traffic every Saturday with his great sense of humor and fancy dance moves!

Market customer Congressman Marsha Blackburn shares a few words

Vice Mayor Alderman Brandy Blanton read the Mayor’s Proclamation to deem September 3, 2016 the Hometown Hero Appreciation Day for the City of Franklin Police Department. Chief Deborah Faulkner was presented with the proclamation and a special Thin Blue Line Flag from the Franklin Farmers Market. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn made a special appearance to express her own gratitude to the Police Department. The ceremony ended with a prayer by Rev. Jacob Scrimpshire from Clearview Baptist Church, who provides the market with volunteers on a regular basis.

Hometown Hero Reception Appreciation for our Franklin Police

Police men and women were welcomed to a reception at the market with homemade snacks from our local farmers and bakers. Muffins were provided by Lucy’s Kitchen, donuts from Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts, sausage biscuits and biscotti from Norton Family Farm, watermelon from Delvin Farms and muffins and banana nut bread from Jones Mill Farm. Our local farmers are always ready to give back to our community, and no one hesitated when we asked them to provide baked goods for our reception! Leftover reception goodies were boxed up and delivered to the Police Department for the 2pm “roll call” so that all the city officers could enjoy our appreciation for their work.

Young boy expresses his appreciation for our Franklin Police Officers

Many customers were in attendance for the Hometown Hero Appreciation Day, and one little boy felt the call to personally give his thanks to the Chief of Police. His proud mother looked on as he took the microphone and expressed his gratitude. His words conveyed what we were all feeling and was a nice summation to the ceremony.

The Franklin community begins their Labor Day weekend shopping for local farm food.

The Labor Day weekend market was a well-attended market. Customers purchased meats and vegetables for their cookouts, and the crowds were festive and large as we gave thanks to the ones who serve and protect us on a daily basis- the City of Franklin Police Department. Enjoy photos of the Hometown Hero Appreciation day with this link to our market day photos.

The Franklin Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8am-1pm behind the Factory in Franklin, TN. The market is a 15 yr old producers only market with the largest assembly of local farmers providing fresh farm food all year long each Saturday morning. Find us at 230 Franklin Road behind the Factory. Visit us online at www.franklinfarmersmarket.com or follow us on facebook, twitter and instagram for the latest market news.