Savvy Talks: Preserving Your Farmer's Market Haul

Bought too much at the farmer’s market? Here’s how to waste less and savor more.

Let’s be real. Farmer’s markets are summer therapy—sunshine, juicy peaches, buttery bread you swear you won’t finish by Tuesday, and a bunch of herbs you forgot you bought until Thursday.

It happens. Here’s how to keep all that farm-fresh goodness from going to waste—and how to actually enjoy it all week long.

1. Prep Right Away
The second you walk in the door, rinse, chop, and store what you can. If it’s ready to use, you’re way more likely to reach for it.

2. Roast Before It Rots
No plan? No problem. Toss all those veggies on a sheet pan with olive oil + salt. Roast once. Use everywhere—grain bowls, omelets, sandwiches, pasta. You’re a genius.

3. Herb Ice Cubes
Too much basil, parsley, or cilantro? Chop and freeze in olive oil in an ice cube tray. You’ll thank yourself mid-soup this fall.

4. Make a Market Frittata
Eggs + cheese + whatever’s on its last leg = delicious. Think zucchini, herbs, greens, even cherry tomatoes. Boom: dinner.

5. Freeze Like a Pro
Peaches, berries, corn—don’t let them go sad and squishy. Freeze now. Pretend it’s July in February.

6. Pickle the Stragglers
Radishes, onions, cukes, green beans? Quick pickle ‘em! It’s shockingly easy and makes you look like the domestic goddess you are. (Need inspo? My pickled red onion recipe is a must.)

7. Keep a "Use Me First" Bowl
Put the most fragile stuff where you’ll see it. If it’s hiding in the drawer, it’s already halfway to compost.

8. Cancel the Guilt
So you overbought. Again. So what? It’s a farmer’s market, not a contract. Learn and live. Less guilt = better choices next week.

BONUS: What to do with all that bread you “weren’t going to buy”
We’ve all been there. You know I try to skip bread—but those loaves are hard to resist. Here’s how to make the most of every crumb:

• Croutons: Cube + olive oil + garlic + herbs + oven = crunchy gold
• Bread Pudding (Savory or Sweet): Comfort food magic
• DIY Breadcrumbs: Blitz stale bread + store in a jar (add herbs if you’re fancy)
• Panzanella Salad: Toasted bread + juicy tomatoes + olive oil = YES (I’ll share my version soon)
• French Toast for Dinner: You heard me. Try it with crusty bread.
• Garlic Bread: Rub with garlic, drizzle with butter or olive oil, broil. Add cheese if that’s your love language.
• Freeze It: Slice and stash. Future you says thanks.

 TIP: Need recipe inspo for anything above?

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  Originally aired on 07/18/25 for WGN Radio 720.