All the familiar seasonal summer delicacies are ripe and available at the DeKalb County Farmers Market in Smithville behind Ace Hardware. Watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet corn, tomatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers, squash, okra, zucchini, herbs, sweet and hot peppers, herbs, and greens will keep you eating fresh and healthy. Treat yourself to some locally roasted coffee, baked goods, jams, jellies, and awesome barbecue. Bring beauty and creativity into your home with unique, handcrafted items and lovingly crafted flower bouquets.
A unique offering available right now at the market is spaghetti squash. Oblong with a hard, light yellow shell, these winter squash might not look overtly appetizing at first glance. They deserve a second look. The light yellow flesh cooks to the consistency of al dente angel hair pasta and pairs well with everything from tomatoes to olives to butter.
You can cook the squash whole in the microwave in eight to 12 minutes, depending on the size of the squash; just be sure to poke holes in the skin with a fork to let steam escape. When you can easily depress the skin with the back of a spoon, you know it's done. When cool enough to handle, slice in half and scoop out the seeds.
Alternately, cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and brush with coconut or olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake cut-side up in a 375 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until you can easily puncture the skin with a fork. If the squash seems to be drying out during cooking, brush with more oil.
Once cooled, run a fork through the flesh to loosen and scoop out.
Serve as a main course with with butter, Parmesan cheese, finely chopped fresh basil, and a liberal amount of freshly ground black pepper. Or as a side dish with just some butter and a little salt.
Substitute squash for pasta and enjoy with your favorite tomato sauce. For a dish packed with the flavors of summer, use chopped fresh tomatoes and sweet peppers cooked with garlic, oregano, and basil in olive oil for just 10 to 15 minutes. Pour over the “spaghetti” and top with some Parmesan.
My favorite dish to make is a Greek pasta salad. I combine the spaghetti squash with a chunky pasta, like penne or spirals, chopped greens, like kale or chard, oregano, basil, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Kalamata olives, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and top with feta cheese. Colorful, nutritious, and delicious,  this dish can feed a whole crew of farm workers without a lot of effort.
You never know when you'll find a new favorite food. Don't hesitate to expand your palate and try new dishes and flavor combinations!