Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Holidays
  • Cooking 101
  • Healthy Living
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More Next
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More Next
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More Next
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    • New Year, New You
    • Super Bowl
    • Valentines
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

CookingLight diet CookingLight diet
  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Recipes Chevron Right
  3. Summer Produce Guide

Summer Produce Guide

June 05, 2012
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
O summer... Celebrate with us the sweet joys of fruits and the luscious crunch of vegetables.
Start Slideshow

1 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Healthy Summer Produce

Credit: Photo: Gentyl & Hyers
For anyone who enjoys food and cooking, summer offers the finest ingredients—fresh local produce from the garden, farmers' market, and grocery—to make any dish superlative. The key is to keep things simple and let the quality of seasonal ingredients shine through. It's so easy, enjoyable, and affordable to indulge your cravings for fresh fruits and vegetables this time of year.

1 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Peaches

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
The state fruit of Georgia, peaches are in season from May to late September. To select, look for fruit that is firm; with a taut, unblemished skin; and no signs of bruising or wrinkles. If you smell peaches when you walk up to the stand, you know they are ripe.

Recipes: 
• Peach Mojitos 
• Grilled Peaches Over Arugula with Goat Cheese and Prosciutto
• Grilled Sirloin Skewers with Peaches and Peppers 
• Peach Chutney 
• Peach Ice Cream

See More: Our Favorite Peach Recipes

2 of 12

3 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Watermelon

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
You can find fresh watermelons between May and September, but they are at their peak from mid-June to late August. To select, choose a firm, symmetrical, unblemished melon with a dull rind, without cracks or soft spots, that barely yields to pressure. Some people swear by the “thump” test, but experts say that method is unreliable for determining ripeness. Rather, look for a pale yellow patch, indicating where the watermelon sat on the ground while ripening on the vine.

Recipes: 
• Watermelon Margaritas
• Summer Pea, Watermelon, and Farro Salad 
• Watermelon-Jalapeno Ice Pops 
• Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast with Watermelon-Jalapeño Salsa 
• Flank Steak with Grilled Mango and Watermelon Chutney

See More: All About Melons

3 of 12

Advertisement

4 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Plums

Credit: Photo: Anna Williams
A plum’s skin is tart and a little rough, yet its flesh is sweet, soft, and juicy. When you cook plums, something magical happens. The sweetness of the flesh, tartness of the skin, and spectrum of colors come together in harmony. To select, feel for plums that yield slightly to the touch; but don’t squeeze them. Let the fruit sit in your palm. It should give a little. If you buy firmer fruit, though, don’t put it in the refrigerator or the kitchen window—put it in a paper bag in a dark place for a day or two. After the plum is picked, the sugar level remains the same, but the acidity falls, so it only seems sweeter.

Recipes: 
• Pork Patties with Plum Sauce and Napa Cabbage Slaw 
• Roast Pork Tenderloin with Plum Barbecue Sauce 
• Plum Kuchen
• Open-Faced Prosciutto and Plum Sandwiches 
• Basil Plum Granita

See More: 7 Recipes for Plums

4 of 12

5 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Basil

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
There are more than 60 types of basil, all members of the mint family. Basil is available year-round in supermarkets, but summer is the herb’s best season. To select, look for basil that isn’t wilted and doesn’t have dark spots. And if you’re growing your own, be sure to harvest it on a sunny day, as the sun will bring out the essential oils that won’t be present otherwise.

Recipes: 
• White Pizza with Tomato and Basil
• Coconut and Basil Steamed Mussels 
• Purple Basil Lemonade 
• Peach and Basil Shortcake 
• Basil and Corn Farro Salad

See More: Use Your Basil Bounty

5 of 12

6 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Figs

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Keep figs stored in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator's produce drawers, where moisture levels are higher. Figs require little work. Simply give them a good rinse, pat dry, trim the stems, and enjoy.

Recipes: 
• Melon and Fig Salad with Prosciutto and Balsamic Drizzle
• Apricot-Fig Chutney
• Sheep’s-Milk Yogurt Cheesecakes with Grilled Figs and Pistachios 
• Honey-Baked Black Mission Figs with Orange and Ginger 
• Prosciutto, Fresh Fig, and Manchego Sandwiches

See More: Fantastic Fig Recipes

6 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
Heirloom is a term used to describe any tomato plant that’s openly pollinated (by wind and bees) and has been cultivated for more than 50 years. Seeds from the best plants are saved at the end of the growing season for future use. They come in many shapes and sizes—from the two-pound beefsteak to cherry tomatoes as tiny as currants. Because they ripen on the vine and are not stored under refrigeration, heirlooms are more likely than hybrids to have succulent flesh. But they vary in texture, running the gamut from firm, and barely seedy to soft and moist. Some seem at once juicy and firm.

Recipes: 
• Heirloom Tomato and Avocado Stack
• Mr. Stripey Tomato, Arugula, and Pancetta Sandwiches 
• Chunky Tomato-Fruit Gazpacho
• Grilled Chicken Thighs with Roasted Grape Tomatoes 
• Fresh Pea Salad with Radishes, Tomatoes, and Mint

See More: Heirloom Tomato Roundup

7 of 12

8 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Corn

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
A type of grass, corn is a New World food. May through September is peak season. To select, a fresh husk is the number one thing to look for. Nice deep brown silk tips or ends mean it’s ripe, but the whole silk shouldn’t be dried up. Open the tip of the husk to see if the kernels are all the way to the end of the ear; kernels should be plump and milky when pinched.

Recipes: 
•  

8 of 12

9 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eggplant

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
Store eggplant on the countertop—not in the refrigerator. Choose a spot that's away from direct sunlight. Choose a container that allows for circulation, like a vented bowl or perforated bag. Peeling a standard globe or Japanese eggplant is optional. Leave the skin intact for contrast, or remove it for a paler look.

Recipes: 
• Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches with Red Onion and Aioli
• Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce and Tomato Relish 
• Cheesy Brown Rice Gratin with Zucchini and Eggplant 
• Turkey Burgers with Roasted Eggplant 
• Eggplant Crostini 

9 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Zucchini

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
Summer is the perfect time to savor just-harvested zucchini. It’s peak season is June through late August, but you may see zucchini in markets in some regions year-round. With its slightly curved cylinder-like shape, this green summer squash is perfect for blending with other ingredients or in simple preparations highlighting the taste of fresh herbs. Because zucchini has a high water content, it doesn’t require much cooking; raw, it adds nice texture to a salad of greens or a crudités plate. Like its yellow summer squash counterpart, zucchini is also a good source of vitamins A and C, and fiber.

Recipes: 
• Persian Rice-Stuffed Zucchini with Pistachios and Dill 
• Zucchini Angel Hair Pancake 
• Grilled Zucchini with Sea Salt
• Stuffed Zucchini with Cheesy Breadcrumbs
• Zucchini Eggplant Lasagna

See More: Use Your Zucchini

10 of 12

11 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Summer Squash

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
Unlike winter squashes, such as butternut or acorn, summer squash has edible skin and seeds. The most common summer varieties are yellow squash (also called crookneck), pattypan squash, and zucchini. Whether you’re gathering them from the backyard or from the supermarket produce bins, choose small, firm squashes with bright-colored, blemish-free skins.

Recipes: 
• Summer Squash, Bacon, and Mozzarella Quiche
• Grilled Summer Squash
• Summer Squash Croquettes
• Mixed Greens Salad
• Potato Salad with Herbs and Grilled Summer Squash

11 of 12

12 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Blueberries

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
Of all the popular summer fruits, blueberries have an advantage, nutritionally speaking. They’ve earned the distinction of one of the most potent source of antioxidants, which help counteract heart disease, cancers, and other types of illnesses. Blueberries are also full of fiber and high in vitamin C. To pick the best of the crop, look for powder-blue berries that are firm and uniform in size. Store them in a single layer, if possible, in a moisture-proof container for up to five days, and don’t wash until you’re ready to use them.

Recipes: 
• Blueberry Thrill 
• Fresh Blueberry Sauce 
• Gingered Blueberry Shortcake
• Blueberry-Orange Parfaits
• Late-Harvest Riesling Sorbet with Berries

See More: Blueberry Desserts

12 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 12 Healthy Summer Produce
2 of 12 Peaches
3 of 12 Watermelon
4 of 12 Plums
5 of 12 Basil
6 of 12 Figs
7 of 12 Tomatoes
8 of 12 Corn
9 of 12 Eggplant
10 of 12 Zucchini
11 of 12 Summer Squash
12 of 12 Blueberries

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Cooking Light

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Cooking Light Diet this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Cooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

View image

Summer Produce Guide
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.