October 10, 2023
Eating local is the way to go, and we’re so lucky that Washington state is a top U.S. producer of many delicious agricultural commodities. Celebrate the economic bounty on your dinner table with these recipes for a three-course dinner featuring some of the top Washington state products! These products make it to global markets by ship through The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) and by cargo plane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA Airport).
Dinner Menu
- Starter: Cherry Caprese Salad
- Entree: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Asparagus
- Dessert: Washington Apple Pie
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Cherry Caprese Salad
Recipe from Chelan Fresh
About the ingredients
Cherries
Washington state is the Number one U.S. producer of sweet cherries. The cherry industry employs 20,000 people in the state and brings in $900 million in revenues per year. And 98% of exported cherries are shipped to Asia through SEA Airport cargo.
Dairy products
The recipe calls for mozzarella balls. Milk is the second largest Washington state agricultural product by dollar value ($1.2 billion).
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, etc.) were the fifth largest export commodity through the NWSA by dollar value.
- Dairy products were the number one export commodity via the NWSA to Indonesia by TEUs and dollar value.
More of a soup person? Try a soup made from dried peas or lentils. Washington state is the number three U.S. producer of both commodities.
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Meatloaf
Recipe from Washington State Beef Commission
About the ingredients
Beef
Cattle is the third largest Washington state agricultural product by dollar value ($801.5 million).
Minced onion
Washington State is the number three U.S. producer of dry onions. Anyone else thinking Walla Walla Sweet Onions?
Breadcrumbs
Wheat is the fourth largest Washington state agricultural product by dollar value ($756.8 million).
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Easy Crowd-pleasing Whipped Mashed Potatoes
Recipe from Washington Potatoes and the Washington State Potato Commission
About the ingredients
Potatoes
Washington state is the number two U.S. producer of potatoes (behind Idaho).
- The NWSA is the leading U.S. export gateway for frozen potato products (french fries) and fresh potatoes.
- Frozen potato products were the second largest export commodity via the NWSA in TEUs in 2022.
- Frozen potato products were the top export commodity via the NWSA to the Philippines by TEUs and dollar value.
Dairy products
The recipe calls for cream cheese, butter, and milk. Milk is the second largest Washington state agricultural product by dollar value ($1.2 billion).
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, etc.) were the fifth largest export commodity via the NWSA by dollar value.
- Dairy products were the number one export commodity via the NWSA to Indonesia by TEUs and dollar value.
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Yakima Asparagus with Lemon Brown Butter
Recipe from Washington Asparagus
About the ingredients
Asparagus
Washington state is the number two U.S. producer of asparagus.
Dairy products
The recipe calls for butter. Milk is the second largest Washington state agricultural product by dollar value ($1.2 billion).
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, etc.) were the fifth largest export commodity via the NWSA by dollar value.
- Dairy products were the number one export commodity via the NWSA to Indonesia by TEUs and dollar value.
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Washington Apple Pie
Recipe from Washington Apple Commission
About the ingredients
Apples
Washington state is the top U.S. producer of apples, and apples are the largest agricultural product for the state ($2.2 billion).
- Apples were the tenth largest export commodity via the NWSA in TEUs in 2022.
- Apples were the top export via the NWSA to Vietnam by dollar value and to Taiwan by TEUs.
Did you know that more than 30 apple varieties are grown in Washington state?
Dairy products
The recipe calls for butter. Milk is the second largest Washington state agricultural product by dollar value ($1.2 billion).
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, etc.) were the fifth largest export commodity via the NWSA by dollar value.
- Dairy products were the number one export commodity via the NWSA to Indonesia by TEUs and dollar value.
If apple pie doesn’t suit your fancy, how about Dahlia Bakery’s Washington Blueberry Crisp or Rainier Cherry Individual Pot Pies? Washington state is the top U.S. producer of these fruits too.
Want more recipes? Visit the various commodity commissions.
To learn more about agriculture in Washington state, visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Want to learn more about NWSA imports and exports? View the 2022 Annual Trade Report.
Top image photo credit: "Apples" by Carriagehouse2011 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
