Serving Up Customers at the recnet Greater Springfield Market Visit

The Market Lady, Lane McConnell, will visit the West Plains Farmers Market in West Plains, Mo., Saturday, July 23 to help celebrate the “Salsa Wars” market event.  The Market Lady and video crew will begin at 8:00 a.m., with two cooking demonstration incorporating products from the market and will be interviewing producers and consumers for various other segments.

“I strive to inform folks on the ease of preparing homemade meals for their families through shopping at the market,” said McConnell.  “Consumers can log on to our website or Facebook page to view short videos of interviews with the farmers that grow our food, topics such as food safety, organic, naturally grown and learn how to cook simple meals.”

The purpose of The Market Lady Project is to educate consumers about eating healthy, locally produced food found at their farmers market.

“The market will offer consumers a great event on Saturday,” said Market Manager Laura Esterle.  “We hope that customers will come out to the market and bring their families to watch The Market Lady cooking demonstrations and take part in the annual Salsa Wars.”

Below is one recipe that The Market Lady will be preparing at the market. Be sure and come out to the West Plains Farmers Market on July 23 to meet the Market Lady and video producer Kelsie Young at 711 Washington Ave.

Zucchini and Squash Penne with Ricotta
1 cup ricotta cheese, room temperature
2 lbs. zucchini and squash
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 T. lemon juice
3 T. basil or marjoram
Sea salt and peppercorns, to taste
¼ tsp. cracked peppercorns
I lb. cooked penne pasta
Grated parmesan cheese

Prepare penne al dente.  Sit out ricotta cheese to bring to room temperature.  Slice zucchini and squash diagonal into stripes about ½ inch thick.

Heat oil in a wide skillet.  Add zucchini, squash and red pepper flakes and sauté for about 5 minutes.  Add garlic, basil and lemon juice and remove from heat.  Season with sea salt and peppercorns.  Add cooked pasta to zucchini and toss.  Season with salt and add ricotta cheese and toss together.  Plate and grate parmesan cheese over the dish.