Summer Farmer's Market Risotto is packed with fresh, farmer's market finds including zucchini, tomato, basil, and sweet corn.
Howdy, all – hope you had a nice weekend!
It’s been crazy gorgeous around here (albeit HOT!) so I took the opportunity to visit the local Farmer’s Market to pick up some fresh produce!
The sweet corn was stacked high, melons were everywhere, and I even spied a few apples – wee!
I stocked up on tons of summer goodies including juicy cherry tomatoes,
tender zucchini, and sweet corn, of course.
Back at home I put all my Farmers’ Market finds to good use in a big batch of fresh Summer Farmers’ Market Risotto!
This easy, creamy risotto recipe is full of farmer’s market goodies like tomatoes, sweet corn, zucchini, and basil. It’s fresh, light, and creamy, plus it cooks in about 30 minutes!
Start the risotto by heating 3 – 3-1/2 cups chicken broth in a saucepan. You could also use vegetable broth to make this a vegetarian dish!
Meanwhile, heat 1 Tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat then saute 2 chopped green onions until tender, 2-3 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves then saute for 30 more seconds.
Next add 3/4 cup arborio rice then stir to coat in the butter.
Arborio rice is short and starchy which is what makes risotto so deliciously creamy.
Now add 1/4 cup dry white wine then stir until the rice has nearly absorbed it all. Next add 1 ladleful hot broth and stir until nearly absorbed. Keep adding the broth then stirring until nearly absorbed. The dish takes about 30 minutes of active stirring time.
K, time to add the veggies!
When there’s 1/3 of the broth left, add 1 small quartered/chopped zucchini (about 1 cup) then season with salt and pepper and stir, stir, stir.
When there’s 1/4 of the broth left add 1 ear sweet corn cut off the cob (about 3/4 cup) then stir, stir, stir.
Finally, with the last broth addition add 1 large chopped and seeded tomato (about 1 cup) and, say it with me, stir, stir, stir!
Once all the broth has been absorbed, and the rice is tender, take the skillet off the heat then stir in 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, and a handful chopped basil.
Scoop the risotto onto plates, top with more fresh basil and parm, if you please, then enjoy!
Risotto can be a really heavy dish loaded with butter and cheese, but this was fabulously light and fresh.
A perfect way to use up all the veggies you picked up from the market this weekend! Enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 – 3-1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt and pepper
- 3/4 cup arborio rice
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 small zucchini, quartered and chopped, ~1 cup
- 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped, ~1 cup
- 1 ear sweet corn, kernels cut from cob, ~3/4 cup
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- handful torn fresh basil
Directions
- Bring chicken broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat to low and keep hot.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat then add green onions, season with salt and pepper, and then saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic then saute for 30 more seconds.
- Add rice then stir to coat in butter. Add wine then stir until nearly absorbed by rice. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth then stir constantly until broth is absorbed. Continue adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until nearly absorbed before adding more.
- When there’s 1/3 of the broth remaining, add zucchini, season with more salt and pepper, then continue stirring. When there’s 1/4 of the broth left, add corn then continue stirring. Add the tomatoes with the last batch of broth then stir until absorbed.
- Take risotto off heat then stir in parmesan cheese and basil. Add more salt & pepper to taste then serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Wow, Lincoln just got here and you look fabulous! Great recipe too. We can’t wait for college football in my house either, but we’re Clemson and Nebraska fans!! Would love to see more pictures of y’alls new kitchen/house as well!
This looks like an excellent meal for the end of summer / early fall, Kristin. It seems to have a bit of summer and autumn mixed in.
If I only have brown rice… do you think this recipe would work? This sounds awesome.
That is so nice that Lincoln instantly falls asleep in his carrier so that you can run errands with him. Getting to see that doable face while shopping is a major plus.
I loooovveee risotto and your idea to sit while cooking it, haha. You look great, btw.
This one looks like a winner, I can’t wait to try it!
Love risotto, love farmers markets… This is a great idea! Your risotto looks amazing!
I *KNOW* you are not back in your regular clothes already?!?!?! I mean, the gray shorts I’ve seen in pics before (don’t be scared, I don’t know ALL your clothes, just always liked the gray shorts…LOL!). That is amazing! I’ve never been brave enough to try Risotto, but I just may give it a whirl!
I have never done well with risotto but have also never had this level of description on how to cook it. I may get inspired and try again. Thanks for the step-by-step, very helpful. I am in for college football, Big Ten style as well – go Bucks!
You look absolutely radiant and the picture of Lincoln is priceless. Love seeing the pics and reading all your recipes !!
this is the perfect transition into fall meal!
I am so not ready to let summer go yet. I heard on the news that there is a store out there that already has Christmas decorations in stock. It’s 95 degrees and you can’t get pool toys but you can get Christmas decorations. It’s insanity! I love getting excited for the upcoming season but I like to do it at the proper time. And let’s not rush these beautiful days out the door quite yet! Ok rant over. I love the tomatoes in your photos and that risotto looks yummy!
Wow, your weather looks gorgeous! It has been rainy and fall like here all weekend, but I am so glade to see summer food today! This is so pretty and sounds so good! Perfect meal to end summer with!
This looks amazing and so fresh! I cannot wait to give it a try. :)
The risotto looks divine, but I especially love the photo of your husband lounging on the couch with a bowl of risotto. Ha! Way better than popcorn.