#several kernels of allspice

[kkglinka]

Corned beef dinner is pretty miserable if you don't know to add a heap of corning spices, or leave out the cabbage if you don't care for it.

[downtoearthmarkets]

The long Labor Day weekend is almost upon us which means we’ve reached the unofficial end of summer, with this season’s vacations coming to their end and back to school looming. But, fear not, you can still enjoy several more weeks of outdoor fun and backyard barbecues for as long as Mother Nature continues to cooperate. Here are some simple and quick recipe ideas for your Labor Day cookout, highlighting seasonal farmers market ingredients to help you maximize your time spent relishing the fresh air this holiday weekend, instead of inside the supermarket and kitchen.

Grilled Summer Squash Prep: 15 Minutes Yield: 4 servings

Summer squash in all shapes, hues and sizes abounds in the farmers market right now and, thanks to its sturdier skin and flesh, it cooks very well on the barbecue. Grilled summer squash can be incorporated into a variety of side dishes as its flavor is mild and unobtrusive. This particular recipe is summery, lemony and bright yet surprisingly substantial, so it can work as either a side dish or main feature:

Ingredients

1.5 pounds of summer squash cut on the bias into rounds

1 sliced white onion

Juice and zest of one lemon

Chopped mint and parsley

Shaved ricotta salata or feta

Olive oil

Directions Preheat grill to medium high. Toss sliced summer squash and onion with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill sliced squash and onion on oiled grates for 3 to 5 minutes per side or until charred and tender. Remove from grill into a serving bowl and toss with more olive oil, the lemon zest and juice, and some fresh parsley and mint. Top with shaved ricotta salata or crumbled feta.

Smokey Buttered Corn on the Cob Prep: 5 min  Cook: 15 min  Yield: 4 servings 

Nothing says summer barbecue quite like buttery sweet corn. This smokey side dish is so easy and straightforward to make, you could practically prepare it blindfolded.

Ingredients

Farmers market sweet corn (one or two cobs per person)

Room temperature butter

Kosher salt and smoked paprika

Directions Peel back husks from the corn, but leave them attached at the base. Remove and discard the silk. Slather softened butter over the corn kernels then sprinkle with salt and smoked paprika. Fold husks back over the corn. Grill over low heat, turning occasionally, for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through.

Barbecued Maple Mustard Chicken Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Servings: 4

Juicy, barbecued chicken thighs are the perfect complement to your grilled squash and corn. You can also round out this tasty main feature with a freshly prepped side salad made with farmers market greens.

Ingredients

½ cup maple syrup

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 8 thighs)

Directions Whisk together maple syrup, olive oil, mustards, salt and allspice. Pour 1/2 cup sauce into a large Ziplock bag. Cover and store remaining sauce in bowl (about 1/2 cup) in refrigerator until ready to serve. Add chicken to sauce in Ziplock bag; seal bag and shake to coat chicken in sauce. Marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Preheat grill to high (450°F to 500°F). Remove chicken thighs from marinade; discard plastic bag with used marinade. Place chicken on oiled grates and cook covered, turning occasionally, until chicken is browned and a meat thermometer shows an internal temperature of 165 degrees - about 30 minutes. Transfer chicken to a platter. Serve drizzled with remaining sauce.

Grilled Peaches Don’t extinguish those charcoals just yet! Keep the flames a-lickin’, as grilled peaches make for a delicious, healthy and easy-to-prep dessert. Select ripe peaches at the market or ripen them on the kitchen counter before grilling. If possible, choose “freestone” peaches with pits that are easier to remove than the “clingstone” variety. If you have difficulty removing the pits, cut peaches across their middle and twist to separate the two halves. Liberally brush the inside of the peaches with a mix of melted butter, honey, and cinnamon and grill until tender. You can opt to top the finished product with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream before serving! Nectarines, plums and apricots can also be prepared in the same way.