You know summer is here when vibrant red tomatoes, sweet juicy berries, and aromatic basil fill your local farmers’ market. After a long winter of root veggies and citrus, the summer bounty of produce is a welcome sight. The warmer months are the perfect time to make the most of seasonal ingredients at their peak of freshness and flavor. Whether you grow your own or shop from local farmers, summer produce offers an exciting array of colors, tastes, and textures to inspire your cooking. In the coming months, we’ll show you how to preserve some summer flavors to enjoy all year round, share recipes to make a meal of the season’s best, and highlight the stars of summer produce. Get ready to make summer last a little bit longer. The seasonal ingredients are ripe for the picking – it’s time to get cooking!
Summer Produce Guide: The Best Fruits, Veggies & Herbs in Season
Summer is peak season for some of the juiciest and most flavorful produce. Take advantage of the seasonal bounty with these highlights:
Stone Fruits
Peaches, plums, nectarines, and cherries are at their sweetest and most delicious. Perfect for snacking, salads, or preserves. Look for fruit that yields slightly when pressed and has a sweet aroma.
Tomatoes
Vibrant tomatoes in all shapes, sizes, and colors are ripe for the picking. Use them in salads, sauces, and sandwiches, or eat them like apples. Heirloom varieties often have the most complex flavors.
Berries
Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are bursting with antioxidants and natural sweetness. Enjoy them fresh, in yogurt or smoothies, or bake them into tarts and crumbles.
Herbs
Basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, and parsley are ideal for flavoring summer dishes. Add them to salads, marinades, and cocktails, or make herb butter, pesto, and chimichurri sauce.
Corn and Zucchini
Grill corn on the cob or add zucchini to fritters, pasta, lasagna, and ratatouille. Both veggies are prolific in summer and best when harvested young.
With so many delicious options, summer is the perfect time to eat with the seasons. Explore your local farmer’s markets and grocers to discover nature’s vibrant palette of flavors and colors. Savor each bite of summer’s sweet rewards.
5 Delicious Summer Recipes Using Fresh, Seasonal Ingredients
Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of nature’s bounty. There’s an abundance of fresh, seasonal produce just waiting to be enjoyed. Here are 5 delicious recipes to make the most of summer ingredients:
Caprese Salad
Nothing says summer like vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella. Simply slice tomatoes and mozzarella, layer them on a plate, and garnish with basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze, and cracked black pepper. Buon appetito!
Gazpacho
Chilled tomato soup is so refreshing on a hot day. Blend tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, garlic, and olive oil, then chill before serving with crusty bread. You can also add avocado, radish, or chili for extra flavor.
Berry Crumble
Take full advantage of summer berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Gently toss them in sugar and lemon juice, then pour into a baking dish and top with an oat and almond crumble. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the crumble is golden brown.
Pesto Pasta
Homemade pesto is a breeze to make and perfect for a quick summer meal. Simply blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan, and olive oil, then toss with cooked pasta such as linguine or penne. Add grilled chicken or vegetables for a heartier dish.
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Nothing quenches thirst like a glass of watermelon agua fresca. Blend watermelon, lime juice, and sugar, then strain. Serve over ice for a refreshing non-alcoholic drink, or add tequila or rum to make a summery cocktail. Salud!
Tips for Selecting, Storing, and Cooking Summer Produce
Summer produce is at its peak, so take advantage of the bounty while you can. Here are some tips to help you select, store, and cook summer fruits and veggies:
Selecting
- Choose produce that is ripe but still firm, with a bright, vibrant color. Avoid anything overly soft or bruised.
- For leafy greens like spinach and kale, pick leaves that are crisp and deeply colored.
- Berries should have a fragrant aroma and give slightly when pressed.
- Stone fruit like peaches and plums yield slightly when squeezed and have a sweet aroma.
Storing
- Most summer produce is best eaten within 3 to 5 days.
- Keep leafy greens unwashed in the fridge in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel.
- Berries should be kept unwashed in the fridge in a shallow container lined with a paper towel.
- Stone fruit can be left on the counter for a couple of days to ripen further. Then refrigerate.
Cooking
- Grilling, roasting, and sautéing are ideal cooking methods for summer veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes.
- Make a simple salad with mixed greens, berries, stone fruit, and a light vinaigrette.
- Gazpacho, fruit smoothies, and berry parfaits are refreshing options for the warmer months.
- Take advantage of the natural sweetness of summer produce by making chutneys, relishes, jams, and salsas to enjoy year-round.
Enjoy the flavors of summer while they last! Stock up at farmer’s markets and farm stands for the best selection and quality. With proper selection, storage, and cooking, you can make summer produce last and be creative with all the options available during this abundant time of year.
Conclusion
Summer is fleeting, so take advantage of the bounty while you can. Try your hand at making fruit crumbles, galettes, pies, or preserves to enjoy for months to come. Grill those peppers, eggplants, and zucchini, and toss giant heirloom tomatoes with basil and mozzarella. Don’t forget the berries – they won’t last long but make the basis for so many treats. Before you know it, autumn will arrive with its own harvest. But for now, get out to your local farm shop or market, bring home that seasonal produce, and get cooking. Make the flavours of summer last and you’ll be so glad you did when the nights start drawing in again.
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