BAKING SEASON IS BACK! TRY MAKING A PIE

Scan your favorite market.... What do you see?

Lots of stone fruits (peaches, plums, apricots), berries (blueberries, raspberries, currants, etc.), and apples! It's the perfect time of the year to think about heating your stove back up and to begin baking! The weather has finally cooled down this week and pies, tarts, and galettes can go a long way in impressing your friends at a dinner party or making the most of your summer time produce. The differences among them are subtle and the possibilities are virtually endless.

A pie is a very American dessert and close to our hearts, often times made in a special pie dish handed down through the generations. We think of pie as a great kind of comfort food, flexible for sweet or savory dishes. You can make pies using any number of fruit fillings (perfect for using up those berries and peaches from the pick your own expedition you took last weekend), savory fillings, or by using heartier fillings such as pumpkin, banana cream, or nut around Thanksgiving. Tarts, on the other hand, are very European and can be made in a multitude of shapes and sizes; often featuring whole or sliced fruit over a creamy custard base. Galettes are free-form versions of pies or tarts that are made flat on a cookie sheet with the crust folded over the edges to contain the filling. Whatever your desire, they offer the perfect opportunity to highlight your farmers market finds!

Mix up your own flavors and ideas or try any of the recipes below, inspired by Massachusetts' local farmers markets and sourced from local bloggers! 

  

Peach Cherry Pie

Even though cherries are already out of season at the farmers markets, you can Mix up some fresh peaches from Kimball's Fruit Farm, Foppema's, or Nicewicz Family Farm and make a classic sweet pie Peach Cherry Pie with Crumb Topping from Beantown Baker.

Savory Farmers Market Tart

Pick up some heirloom tomatoes, zucchini, onions, and arugula from any number of the local farmers right now. Then, make the most of your savory vegetables with this Farmers Market Tart from Once Upon a Small Boston Kitchen.

Vanilla Plum Galette

Buy a pint of adorable plums at Nicewicz Family Farm or Dick's Market Garden and try this very easy and delicious Vanilla Plum Galette from Young Idealistic Baker.

Feeling a little lazy or don't have enough confidence in your baking skills? No worries! There is an option for that too. Pick up a pie from Cook's Farm at the Copley Square Farmers Market Tuesdays or Fridays! They have a variety of delicious pies to choose from.