IN MY KITCHEN - JULY 2026

What's In My Kitchen This Month? 

Lots of produce from the local farmers market. 

The farner's market has officially opened for the season, and I couldn't be more excited. There are about eight local farmers who participate—including three certified organic farms—it's the perfect place to stock up on fresh, seasonal produce.

There is simply no comparison between vegetables that were picked that morning and those that have traveled hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach the grocery store. Freshly grown and picked produce is bursting with flavor, and because it's so fresh, it also retains more of its nutrients and lasts much longer.

The market is held every Saturday morning, nestled in the countryside about 20 minutes from my house. I never know exactly what I'll find. Every week brings something new as different fruits and vegetables come into season.

This week's haul included crisp cucumbers, leafy greens, bok choy, celery, cabbage, fresh herbs such as cilantro and dill, zucchini, dandelion greens, onions, and red potatoes. 

Of course, bringing home all that fresh produce means I'll have to spend some time prepping it and cooking it. 

I like to wash everything as soon as I get home. Some weeks I'll prep individual salad jars for easy lunches. Other times I simply wash and dry everything before storing it in reusable produce bags or containers. Spending a little time upfront makes healthy eating much easier during the busy week.

One thing I discovered this weekend was that my deck makes the perfect produce prep station! Instead of covering my kitchen counters and floor with dirt, leaves, and water, I carried everything outside and worked on my outdoor patio table. It's easier to hose down the deck than have to wash the kitchen floor. 

I washed, sorted, and trimmed my vegetables while enjoying the fresh air, and when I was finished, cleanup was incredibly easy. No muddy kitchen floor to mop afterward!

There's something satisfying about opening the refrigerator and seeing it filled with colorful, fresh produce that's washed, prepped, and ready to use. It inspires me to eat more vegetables, try new recipes, and make the most of everything that's in season.

I made a potato salad with pesto using the potatoes and herbs which I will be sharing the recipe soon.

New Serving Spoons

 Do you shop at your local farmer's market? When you get home, do you wash and prep everything right away, or wait until you're ready to use it? 

Joining Sherry at Sherry's Pickings for her monthly IN MYKITCHEN blogger's share. Anyone can join in . 

June's Strawberry Moon Explained

I happened to run to the supermarket around 9:00 last night when I looked up and caught sight of June's spectacular Strawberry Moon. I was thrilled to be able to snap a quick photo before heading inside the store. Glowing low on the horizon, the moon looked like a giant ball of fire lighting up the night sky.

Despite its name, the Strawberry Moon isn't actually pink or shaped like a strawberry. June's full moon gets its name because it's strawberry harvesting season, not because of its color. Because it rises so low in the sky, it can often appear golden, orange, or even fiery red, making it one of the most beautiful full moons of the year.

The name Strawberry moon originated with the Native American tribes, particularly the Algonquin people, who used the full moons to keep track of the changing seasons. The June's full moon signaled that it was wild strawberry season.  Thus they called the June moon, Strawberry Moon.

                                                       

This year's Strawberry Moon was especially interesting because it appeared unusually low in the sky for many people in the Northern Hemisphere. When the moon is close to the horizon like this, it often looks much larger than it really is thus creating a fascinating optical illusion known as the "moon illusion." Depending on weather conditions, it can also take on golden, orange, or reddish tones as its light passes through more of Earth's atmosphere.

If you missed the June Strawberry Moon this year, you'll have to wait until next June for another chance to enjoy this beautiful annual event.

Summer Vegan Pesto

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite summer recipes—a fresh, vibrant healthy pesto made with fresh herbs that I snip straight from the containers on my deck. There's something very satisfying about stepping outside, gathering a handful of fresh herbs, and turning them into a flavorful sauce in just a few minutes.

Spicy Moroccan Cauliflower Dinner Inspired by Ruhama

Last week, I spotted some big beautiful cauliflowers at the neighborhood farmers market. They looked so fresh and vibrant that I couldn't resist bringing one home with me.