Cooking with fresh vegetables and fruits is great, but they taste even better in season. Hit up your local farmers market and you’ll get fantastic quality, healthy, local produce at peak flavor and support area farmers and small, local businesses all at the same time. Not sure what to do with your market haul each week? Make sure you seek out delicious recipes that highlight summer’s in-season produce in all its glory. Here’s what to make with eight of the top in-season fruits and vegetables you should be eating right now.
Drink: Blueberries
Blueberries really shine with mint and lavender simple syrup in these mojitos from How Sweet It Is. Add a little white rum and top off with club soda for a sweet summer cocktail.
Appetizer: Beets
These ruby or golden beauties pair perfectly with olive oil and smooth goat cheese on bruschetta in this recipe from Feasting At Home. Brilliantly bright beets will give a burst of color to any spread. Bonus: You can top the slices with fresh basil from the market or your home garden.
Salad: Kale
Kale of all kinds is in season in August, and Lacinato kale lends a beautifully delicate flavor to this gluten-free and vegan Coconut Cashew Kale Salad by the Heartbeet Kitchen.
Soup: Summer Squash
Spices like cumin, coriander, paprika and turmeric, along with rich coconut milk, make this summer squash soup by Naturally Ella smooth and creamy. She even offers up some variations, like using chickpeas rather than potatoes or sprinkling a dash of curry powder if you don’t have many spices in your cabinet.
Entree: Cauliflower, Sweet Potato, Bell Pepper, Spinach and Cilantro
Seasonal vegetables are king in this roasted veggie enchilada by Cookie and Kate. With five in-season veggies and herbs (six if you include the corn in the tortillas), this is the perfect entree for a healthy yet hearty summer meal.
Sauce: Swiss Chard
Pesto is great on any pasta entree or even with meats and fish. This twist from Lou Lou Biscuit replaces the typical basil with swiss chard, and leaves out the cheese for a creamy vegan sauce.
Side: Cucumber and Blackberries
Fresh blackberries and cucumber with some mozzarella and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar make up this great antipasto or side from The Sweetest Occasion. Skewers make for easy eating and cleanup outside for picnics or barbecues so you can enjoy the nice weather while you spend time with friends and family.
Dessert: Peaches
Not only are peaches in season, but August is also National Peach Month! This gluten-free recipe by Bojon Gourmet matches the elegant flavor of elderflower with sweet peach and creamy small-batch vanilla cheesecake for a stunning way to end any meal.
Help! I Bought Too Much This Week
Sometimes our eyes get the better of us and we can’t stop ourselves from loading up at the market, only to find we don’t have room in our tummies for all of that incredible produce. Sound familiar? If you’re guilty of overbuying, don’t let that fresh food go to waste! Try these eight simple recipes for preserving summer produce.
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Manon Blackman is a Make It Better intern and rising senior at Northwestern University, pursuing a dual-degree in journalism and vocal performance. When she’s not in class, you can find her running, experimenting with vegan cooking, and drinking lots of coffee.
