It's "Buy Local" week in our state and the Governor challenged all Marylanders to incorporate something locally grown or raised in their diet once a day. I see your challenge, Governor, and I accept it!
Last Thursday night the Governor hosted the Buy Local Cookout. That kicked off the Buy Local Challenge which runs through July 31. I was out of town this weekend so I started the challenge Monday.
At the end of the cookout last week, we all received a recipe book with the foods served. I decided to challenge myself further and make one item from the recipe book every day this week.
Because I was out of town, I was unable to go to any farmer's markets this weekend and decided to head to Whole Foods in Mount Washington to get groceries for my first recipe: Corn, Tomato, Black Bean, and Avocado Salsa.
My plan was to buy local corn and tomatoes. Sadly, many other people had a similar plan and all the local corn was sold out. I ended up buying tomatoes grown on a farm in Lancaster, PA so sort of local but not quite.
This did not deter me though. My salsa didn't meet the criteria for the challenge so I had to think outside the box to have a local item in my meal. I like cheese and there was a huge local sign on the cheese display that caught my eye.
I bought Firefly Farm Cabra LaManchaand Chapel's Creamery Talbot Reserve both out of Maryland and I snacked on those while I made the salsa! Challenge met.
Even though I didn't have local ingredients, the creator of the recipe is local so I felt I still needed to make the salsa from the Buy Local cookbook. Brooke Hagerty, also known as The Food Chick created the recipe.
I'm so happy I made this!
The recipe is simple but delicious. I would never have thought to grill my corn and onions before chopping them up but that made a world of difference in the flavor! Definitely a recipe worth making again.
Tonight I'm heading to the Tuesday Market in Lauraville to pick up some local produce for some more recipe attempts this week.
Do you have a place you like to go to get locally grown food? Email me (garrett@wmar.com) or send us a tweet @TasteBudsABC2
