One of my favorite parts of summer is visiting local farmers markets. On a recent trip to the Chester Farmers’ Market here in Connecticut, I picked up some beautiful fresh sweet corn that immediately inspired my next recipe. There’s something special about cooking with ingredients that were harvested just days before they end up on your table.

Not long before my market visit, I came across Sydney Alleman’s Corn & Shallot Caesar Salad on Instagram. I was instantly drawn to it because it takes everything I love about a traditional Caesar salad and gives it a fresh, seasonal twist. Sweet corn and shallots aren’t ingredients you typically find in a Caesar, but together they add incredible flavor and texture while still letting the creamy Caesar dressing remain the star of the dish.

The first time I made this salad, I knew it wouldn’t be the last. The combination of sweet summer corn, tender shallots, crispy homemade croutons, and rich Caesar dressing was absolutely delicious. Every bite offered the perfect balance of freshness, crunch, and savory flavor.

When I made it again using the sweet corn I found at the Chester Farmers’ Market, I was reminded exactly why I wanted to feature it as part of my Farmers Market Series. I love recipes that celebrate seasonal produce in creative ways, and this one does just that.

Instead of serving it with grilled chicken, I paired the salad with crispy chicken cutlets, and the combination was fantastic. The crunchy chicken complemented the crisp romaine and creamy dressing, turning it into a satisfying summer meal that my family loved.

This is one of those recipes I’ll be making all summer long whenever fresh local corn is in season. If you’re looking for a fresh take on a classic Caesar salad, I highly recommend giving this one a try.

Recipe Inspiration & Credit: This Corn & Shallot Caesar Salad was created by Sydney Alleman (@spoonfullofsyd on Instagram). I’m featuring it as part of my Farmers Market Series because I genuinely loved making it with fresh sweet corn from the Chester Farmers’ Market and wanted to share my experience. If you decide to make this salad, I highly encourage you to visit Sydney’s Instagram for the original recipe and to explore more of her delicious seasonal creations.

🌿 From the Farmers Market with Mare

Thank you for joining me in the kitchen today. I hope this recipe inspires you to visit your local farmers market, discover something fresh, and enjoy cooking with the best each season has to offer.

See you at the market!

Until next time, happy cooking, and don’t forget to support your local growers and makers whenever you can.

Serving: 4

Ingredients

Dressing

2 small garlic cloves, minced

Juice of 1 lemon

1–2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 cup mayonnaise

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2–3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

For the Salad

3 small heads romaine lettuce, chopped

1 shallot, thinly sliced

1½ cups grilled sweet corn kernels

½ cup homemade or store-bought croutons

¼ cup freshly shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Slowly whisk in a few tablespoons of olive oil until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Grill the ears of sweet corn over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly charred on all sides, about 8–10 minutes.

Allow the corn to cool slightly, then cut the kernels from the cob.

Wash and chop the romaine into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the shallot and grate or shave the fresh Parmesan cheese.

In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped romaine, grilled sweet corn, sliced shallots, croutons, and Parmesan cheese.

Add the desired amount of Caesar dressing and gently toss until every leaf is evenly coated.

Top with additional Parmesan cheese and a generous crack of freshly ground black pepper.

Mare’s Serving Suggestion: I served this Corn & Shallot Caesar Salad alongside crispy chicken cutlets for an easy summer dinner, but it’s just as delicious on its own or paired with grilled chicken for a lighter meal.