You'll love our garden-fresh contest winners, which make the most of your favorite summer produce and flavors.
Presenting the Winners from Our Garden-Fresh Contest
Updated on Dec. 20, 2023
1/12
Grand Prize: Farro Salad with Charred Shishito Peppers and Corn
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This farro salad can be enjoyed warm or cold. I am lucky that my mom has an amazing garden every summer and gives me all kinds of vegetables to try—I use many of them for this recipe! —Tracy Kaifesh, Laguna Niguel, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 233 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.
Check out our contest page to learn more about our contests and submit your own recipes for consideration.
2/12
1st Place: Cherry Plum Slab Pie with Walnut Streusel
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to make desserts with fruit all summer, and this cherry slab pie is wonderful because you can quickly make it for a crowd. The crumbly, nutty streusel is perfect with fruit. You can make your own pastry or use store-bought pie crust. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 279 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 155mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
3/12
2nd Place: Roasted Grape and Sweet Cheese Phyllo Galette
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Faced with an abundant grape crop, I created this easy, impressive-looking dessert. I like to add a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of coarse sugar to finish it off. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 177 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 148mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
4/12
3rd Place: Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy pasta dish feels indulgent without being overly rich, thanks to its heart-healthy avocado pasta sauce! The flavorful avocado and spinach sauce is so smooth and thick, you will think cream is hiding in there. But the guilt-free sauce is dairy-free with a rich texture. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 314 calories, 18g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 9g protein.
5/12
Most Innovative: Spicy Thai-Inspired Noodle Watermelon Salad
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our county is famous for its fabulous Green River melons. While you won’t find this unique and refreshing salad at the county fair, it’s definitely our favorite way to eat watermelon all summer long! —Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 240 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 721mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
6/12
Runner-Up: Citrus Cantaloupe Butter
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 half-pints
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet, chunky cantaloupe butter gets its warm spice flavor from the cinnamon. Orange sections and lime juice give it a citrusy twist. —Mary Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 112 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
7/12
Runner-Up: Grilled Elote Flatbread
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a fun twist on a classic Mexican dish! Keep your kitchen cooled down this summer by grilling this summery, fresh flatbread outdoors. —Amanda Phillips, Portland, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 211 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 195mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
8/12
Runner-Up: Healthy Avocado Pineapple Muffins
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These healthy muffins would be a real treat to enjoy at breakfast, at lunch or on a coffee break. They are delicious served warm from the oven or freeze well. The avocado adds an extra-special touch. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 208 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 190mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch.
9/12
Runner-Up: Peachy-Keen Halloumi Fritters
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Use up the season’s juicy, sun-ripened peaches in this corn fritter recipe filled with gooey Halloumi cheese and sweet onions. These fritters are decadent and slightly sweet, and homegrown herbs add a fresh taste. The addition of prosciutto makes this recipe feel fancy with little effort. —Chainey Kuykendall, Richmond, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 fritter: 71 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
10/12
Runner-Up: Peaches and Cream Whiskey Loaf
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
1 loaf (12 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
I love when fresh peaches are in season! This recipe is sweet from the ripe peaches with a slight tang from the whiskey. This is a perfect after-dinner treat, but it’s just as good with your morning coffee. It also makes a welcome gift for neighbors and friends. —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 273 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 151mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
11/12
Creamy Corn Custard
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I make this custard all summer long! When I serve it to guests, I try to make them guess the secret ingredient. Not many guess corn, so it’s a fun surprise. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 289 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
12/12
Runner-Up: Summer Squash Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This golden brown, tender pound cake is the perfect treat to make when you have an abundance of summer squash in your garden. It’s not overly sweet, so it appeals to everyone. —Lisa Brockwell, Necedah, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 310 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 213mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
