Peaches, slaws and carrot dogs. Happy 4th!

This holiday weekend should be a lot more fun than last year's slightly surreal July 4th weekend. If you're staying local for the Fourth, make sure to grill up a storm and spread the fun over the 3-day weekend. We deserve it!

There are so many delicious things to throw on the grill at our market from T-bone steaks, to thick halibut fillets, to clams, and yes, even carrots and peaches (more later).

Why not spice things up with this recipe for grilled jerk chicken? Serve this dish with some tangy spicy slaw made with kimchi from Forward Roots Kimchi. (We know they use local ingredients for their kimchi because we see them buying from the farmers at the Irvington Farmer's Market on Sundays.)

If hot dogs and brats are more your 7/4 thing, make sure to stop by the Mangalitsa tent. They will be having a special on all of their sausages Saturday: pick up any three of their special sausage packs for $42 instead of $48. These include their famous cheese brats, hickory brats, sweet and hot Italian, andouille, kielbasa, chorizo and... New York-style hot dogs.

Just because you don't eat meat doesn't mean you can't have a hot dog. Check out these grilled carrot hot dogs from Epicurious. Ingenious and delicious.

Finally, Caradonna Farm is bringing the first peaches of the season. Perfect timing, as nothing screams "summer" like eating a peach out of hand at a Fourth of July picnic and having the juice run down your arm. Bliss.

Since raspberries are also making their appearance consider making this peach raspberry watercress salad with five spice bacon- an Ottolenghi recipe that gets only raves. You can skip the bacon, of course, but why would you?

If you're hosting on Saturday and don't have time to make lunch, pick up a pizza (or two, or three) from Pizza Vitale.

And, if you're too focused on BBQ to plan for dessert (although who doesn't like a fresh berry salad with whipped cream and fresh market mint, or grilled peaches over ice cream?) pick up a dessert pie from Noble Pies. They may be bringing the last of the strawberry rhubarb!

If someone special is having a birthday or anniversary, consider a hand-turned bowl from The Misshapened Bowl. Wood-turner Charles Lazarus is only here once a month. These make great housewarming and hostess gifts, too.

See you at the market!