This is the way it always works: The summer winds down, visitors and summer folks begin to leave the Island, and all the tomatoes ripen at the same time. And it's not just tomatoes — so many crops go bonkers in late summer, ironically when the crowds start to dwindle. Nevertheless, there was a jolly and enthusiastic crowd at the West Tisbury Farmers' Market this morning, and a smart shopper could have her pick of fresh colorful crops, as well as cheese, bread, honey, salt, coffee, herbs, and jams. You name it. Here's just a sampling of some of the harvest, with a recipe idea to go with each.

Slip Away had a nice carrot harvest as well.

Need a way to use up extra carrots? Try refrigerator pickles.

Morning Glory Farm, like other farms this year, is growing the popular (sweet) Lunch Box pepper.

These small peppers are great on the grill. Try using them in this Grilled Zucchini, Bell Pepper and Bread Salad with Double Tomato Dressing.

This time of year, Morning Glory's epic leeks begin to show up.

It's almost time to make Creamy Cauliflower and Leek Soup.

No shortage of beets for roasting or salads.

Quick-roasting is a great technique for beets. For a delicious late summer salad, subsitute plums or peaches for the strawberries in this Quick-Roasted Beet, Arugula and Strawberry Salad.

Olivia Pattison of Cinnamon Starship was doing a brisk business with her bread and other pastries.

Olivia's Egg Tartines with Homemade Lemon Herb Mayonnaise are a great destination for her bread.

Gorgeous shishitos were on display at North Tabor Farm.

And speaking of toasts, blistered shishito peppers make great hummus toast-toppers.

Lydia Fischer grew three varieties of tomatillos this year. She told us they are ready to pick when the husk splits.

Here's Chef Spring Sheldon's recipe for Tomatillo Salsa.

These perfect salad tomatoes, a variety called Magic Mountain, were also part of Lydia's offerings at The Garden Farm's booth.

Got tomatoes? We've got recipes.

There were so many beautiful flowers. These ones were for sale at Zinnias For You's truck.

*

Photos by Susie Middleton.