Summer is the season of the berries. All of them.
In fact, many juicy fruits are at their peak during the summer season. Think cherries, peaches, plums, watermelon, and blue/black/raspberries. You know what it’s like. Picking these fruits and eating them poolside or at a bbq = summer. When you get something that fresh it’s a crime to not enjoy it to the max, right?
Shop at the farmers market or in the locally grown section of your supermarket for the best summer season produce fresh off the tree. Enjoy it in the ripe and raw form, or chop them up to make something from my greatest list of summer inspo. Here are some tips on how to enjoy your in season foods and how to get the most out of them.
To begin with: Which exact summer season produce are we talking about?
In season summer fruits:
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Plums
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Apples
- Watermelon
- Basil
Pies
Let’s not play around. The first 8 fruits on this list deserve to be the star of the show in a pie or a galette. You cannot compare a homemade pie to anything else. A worthy way to use your fruits.
It’s also a fun Sunday activity to do with kids. Pick the fruits right from the tree, and bake them into a pie that afternoon for a special dinner dessert! If you haven’t tried my strawberry thyme or blueberry galette recipes, you are missing out! They are available for annual subscribers in the recipe section of prepandrally.com.
Fruit salads, and acai bowl and yogurt parfait toppings also take advantage of the sweet wholesomeness of the fruit. It’s filling and a little bit (in variety) goes a long way in a dish. You can also throw any extras you have into your water bottle for fruit infused hydration! That’s spa water all day long.
Salsa
My favorite way to use my peaches are in a summer peach salsa. It’s a refreshing snack, tasty side, and a perfect topping for a grain bowl, taco, burger plate, or salad. Try this recipe and let me know what you think!
4 medium peaches, small dice
¼ cup red onion, small dice
2 teaspoons maple syrup
2 limes, juiced
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons olive oil
¼ cup chopped basil
In a small bowl mix peached, red onion, lime juice, maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and basil. Store in an airtight container!
Alternately use your peaches for this awesome summer season produce recipe for Peach Caprese Skewers. Make it along with me here!
In season summer vegetables:
- Summer squash
- Tomatillos
- Eggplant
- Corn
Did you know that you can eat corn “raw” right off the cob? It’s deliciously sweet and has an extra crunch to it. You can also grill and enjoy it or spread some butter and salt on the cob and take a bite that way. Next level.
Grilled corn, carrot, and peach salad also brings summer in a bowl, for that light hearty bite we all want. I have an easy recipe for annual subscribers to access here.
Tomatillos. If you know me, you know I live for tomatillos. They look like green tomatoes and are a bit more tart/citrusy. They are perfect for salsa verde and it’s worth going the extra mile to get that tomatillo. Summer is the season you can easily find them!
It can be paired with anything you make that includes a tortilla. Enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and beyond. Grilled chicken is a popular one, and you can combine it with another summer veggie, eggplant, by making meat filled eggplant roll ups, or ratatouille.
Although you can buy eggplants all year round, July-October is when they are at their peak. Look for an eggplant with hard glossy peel, and it should feel “heavy” so you know the inside is full, and not shriveled up. Go all out on your eggplant parmesan, come on, it’s the season.
There is so much to do with your summer fruits and vegetables. Be open to inspiration that comes from your mood, or from something else you come across. The recipe archives that are included in a Prep and Rally membership are full of it. You’ll never get bored… or hungry. Trust me:)
