From the Farmers Market to Your Table: A Simple, Local Way to Cook and Eat

Photos by Michael Piazza / Styled by Catrine Kelty / Recipes by JJ Gonson, Chef & Owner of Cuisine en Locale

I grew up in Cambridge in a house where home-cooked meals were the norm and fresh ingredients were cherished. Some of my earliest memories involve driving with my family to nearby farms for produce and flowers. That early connection to seasonal food became the heart of my work as a personal chef and caterer. I founded my locally sourced catering company Cuisine en Locale in 2005, inspired by my own children and the desire to feed them real, nourishing food. I’ve cooked in all kinds of kitchens, from Portland, Oregon, to Martha’s Vineyard, to my home base here in Somerville.

What remains constant is my commitment to cooking with what’s local and in season. Every week, I plan menus based on what I find at my neighborhood farmers markets. I’ve worked with many farmers for more than 20 years and built relationships with them. There’s nothing like knowing where your food comes from, and the people who grow it.

Shopping at Massachusetts farmers markets helps keep dollars in the local economy and supports sustainable food systems. It also makes cooking easier: When you start with fresh, flavorful ingredients, you don’t need much else. That’s why I keep my recipes simple, more like suggestions than rules. Here are a few seasonal favorites I love to make this time of year.

Why Farmers Markets Matter
In my kitchen, almost everything comes from Massachusetts farms. Shopping at your local farmers market is about more than fresh food; it’s about relationships, sustainability and appreciating the seasons. Visit massfarmersmarkets.org/markets to find your local market and discover ingredients that spark creativity.

This article is brought to you by Mass Farmers Markets, a nonprofit committed to expanding farmers markets throughout Massachusetts. Support local food systems and discover seasonal recipes like these by signing up for their newsletter and following @massfarmersmarkets on Instagram. Learn more about Cuisine en Locale at enlocale.com.