Rough Draft Atlanta is partnering with Community Farmers Markets to let you know what’s in season at your local market. Each week, we’ll share a list of ingredients that are farm fresh as well as a couple of recipes including those products that you can try at home. 

Here’s what we’ve got for you this week: Apples, pears, raspberries, peppers like bell, shishito, aji dulce, padron, and poblano, okra, eggplants, garlic, winter squash like spaghetti, butternut, acorn, and dumpling, the last of the summer squashes, greens like bok choy, napa cabbage, kale, herbs like basil, thyme, rosemary, fennel, flower bouquets with dahlia, zinnia, sunflowers, etc, green onions, pea shoots and microgreens, gourmet mushrooms like oyster and lion’s mane, eggs, honey, beef, pork, chicken, duck, broths, breads, jams, ferments, fresh juices, pastries and sweet treats including gluten-free options, smoked trout and salmon, raw and flavored pecans, honey, coffee, teas, pickles, cocktail mixers, ghee, cooking oils, vinegars, hot sauce, homemade pasta and sauces, spice blends, pet treats.

Atlanta non-profit Community Farmers Markets (CFM) has been building community through farmers markets since 2011. Operating five weekly outdoor farmers markets and seven farm stands at MARTA stations is one of the strategies by which the organization addresses food access in Atlanta. CFM also offers educational programming in the community, financial incentives to make local food more affordable, and professional development for small businesses. See you at the farmers markets!

Veggie Egg Rolls with Apple Dipping Sauce Recipe:

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup each, sliced thin
• shiitake mushrooms
• daikon radish
• pac choi
• yard long beans
• sweet peppers
• garlic chives
• 2 gloves garlic, minced 
• ½ inch of ginger, grated
• 1 tsp each: sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar
• 12-14 egg roll sheets 
• sunflower oil 
• water

Sweet and Sour Apple Sauce:

• 1 apple, chopped
• ¾ cup pineapple juice
• 1 tsp each: apple cider vinegar, sweet paprika powder, brown sugar, salt, and (optional if you like a little kick) chili oil 

Directions:

1. In a wok or iron skillet heat the sesame oil on high and add the mushrooms, cook for 2 minutes then add the ginger and garlic. 
2. Cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, then add the peppers, radish, and beans. Cook 2 minutes then add the soy sauce, vinegar, Pac choi, and chives. Stir then remove from the heat. 
3. Allow the mixture to cool then fill an egg roll sheet with a tablespoon of the mix, roll up snuggly from the bottom over the filling, fold in the sides, then moisten the top and roll to close. 
4. Once the egg rolls are all shaped, fry in 350° oil till golden brown. Serve warm with dipping sauce.

Sauce:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the juice to a boil then add in the chopped apple. 
2. Cover the saucepan and allow to simmer on low for 10 minutes. 
3. Add the softened apples, juice, and the rest of the ingredients to a blender. Blend until completely smooth then add back to the saucepan and heat on low for 5 minutes. Pour into a serving bowl to serve warm or cold.

Chinese 5 Spice Eggplant Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Garlic
• Chinese Eggplants (roughly 8)
• Salt
• Potato or Corn starch
• Sauce ingredients
• Soy sauce or tamari 3 TB
• Rice vinegar 1 TSP
• Brown Sugar 1 TB
• Chinese 5 Spice 1.5 TSP

Directions:

1. Sauce: combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and Chinese five spice, stir and set aside. 
2. Pick as many garlic cloves as your heart desires and smash them with the flat side of your knife and a firm fist. 
3. Peel the skin off and leave whole. Chop stems off and either slice eggplants long ways or chop into cube-like sizes. 
4. Mix eggplants with salt and let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw moisture out. Rinse salt off completely and pat dry. 
5. Toss eggplants in potato starch and cook in a good drizzle of oil on med-high heat until eggplants and garlic cloves turns golden in color. Turn heat down to low and toss in sauce. 
6. Cook until sauce thickens and turn off heat immediately. Enjoy!

You can also find the recipes for Veggie Egg Rolls with Apple Dipping Sauce and Chinese 5 Spice Eggplant at Community Farmers Markets’ Instagram.