As I write this, I may be tasting the last bites of a completely juicy watermelon that I have combined with mint and feta. the easiest salad ever. This time of year in Texas, melons they are out of this world, so you think this is a great way to stage an article about eating with the seasons. I find that going to the market in August to find out what the season is like gives you the perfect shopping experience.
In the past, I never understood my obsession with seasonal products. Let’s be honest: given the global reach of most grocery stores, you can find almost any common fruit or vegetable at any time of the year. Pumpkin, tomato, berry, citrus and asparagus … the list goes on. If what you’re looking for isn’t in the products section, you’ll find high-quality frozen options.
But it seems that seasonal food has health benefits, not to mention that it tastes better even during the season. Knowing what fruit is in season in August, I not only enjoy the perfect ingredients grown locally, I get to go to the local farmers market and pick the freshest seasonal produce.
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Advantages of eating seasonal products
So why should you make an extra effort to eat seasonally? If so, there are a few reasons. But let’s start with the correct one: the products taste better when the season is right. It’s as simple as that.
If you want incredibly tasty food, you should start with seasonal produce and keep it frozen across continents or hemispheres.
But there are other good reasons to focus on the right seasonal products. When fruits and vegetables are in season, they are able to fully mature and develop in the sun without any help. This means more flavor and higher quality. In the end, it is important to eat products that are harvested in their own time because it retains more of its own nutritional value.
A really helpful board
Right now, we are in the last month of summer. There’s still plenty of typical summer food in season, but we can also expect to see some food that usually falls on the shelves.
What fruits and vegetables are there in season in August?
Acorn squash
apples
apricots
blueberries
butternut squash
song
corn
cucumbers
eggplant
figs
green beans
kiwia
kohlrabi
lettuce
mangoes
okra
peaches
peppers
aranak
raspberries
strawberries
summer pumpkin
zerbak
tomatoes
watermelon
winter pumpkin
zucchini
That said, it’s important to keep in mind that seasonal products vary depending on your location. For example, tomatoes were supreme for us in late June in Austin, but they seem to be at their best in cities like northern (and warm) New York and Oregon.
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Recipes to prepare this month
Okay, so it’s easy know the right information, but it’s completely different to actually put it into practice. To give you a boost, we’ve put together some of the most delicious recipes that use the most beautiful seasonal fruits and vegetables right now.
Go ahead and we’d love to know what recipes for the season you’re preparing this month.
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How to buy strawberries
Fresh strawberries have a fragrant flavor and a bright color. Look for sizes that are strong to the touch, medium in size, and free of bruises.
What to prepare with strawberries
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Why we love: There’s nothing like this tasty combination, it’s earthy, shiny and juicy, a whole feast for the senses. It’s a quality restaurant recipe that we can’t get enough of.
Hero component: The creamy goat cheese complements the rich flavors of this salad.
When it comes to finding out what vegetables are in season in August, you’ll be amazed to see the butternut squash on the list. Keep your eyes open to get a pumpkin that feels heavy for its size. You’ll want one with a neck grease and a small bulb, as they provide the most meat.
What to prepare with butternut squash
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Why we love: In addition to being delicious on this outdoor recipe in this world, it’s perfect for those of us who hate physical labor because of the need to peel and chop the pumpkin. It’s as beautiful as it is beautiful and easy to make.
Hero component: Another ingredient for August – figs!
Ideally, we would pick apricots from a tree. Instead, try to find chunky and strong apricots with a little softness for them. Avoid pale orange or yellow, which should have a deep orange-gold color.
What to prepare with apricots
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Why we love: You won’t regret turning on the oven for those fresh, warm apricots. After caramelizing the sugars, a deep sweetness is created, along with an excellent vanilla mascarpone. They are very simple and beautifully highlight the best summer products.
Hero component: Pistachios and toasted coconut crunch nuts.
Look for eggplants with smooth, shiny skin. Test maturity by pressing a finger on the skin; if it leaves a mark, the eggplant is ripe. Smaller eggplants are sweeter, less bitter, have thinner skin and fewer seeds.
What to prepare with eggplant
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Why we love: It’s the perfect alternative when you’re craving the sweet flavors of an eggplant parmesan, but if you want to set aside the carbon filling. It also couldn’t have been easier, throwing it on the grill and with classic Caprese fillings.
Hero component: Toasted pine nuts add a tasty crunchiness.
Surprisingly, color is not the best indicator of maturity when it comes to choosing a mango. You want to gently squeeze the mango and give it a little pick. As they ripen they soften and sometimes smell like fruit on the stem.
What to cook with mangoes
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Why we love: If you like Thai flavors like lime, peanuts and herbs, check out this glorious soba noodle salad. You can grill a steak and pour it into a salad or keep the vegetables and light and put on a creamy avocado to get a touch of richness.
When it comes to choosing the perfect watermelon, it helps to indicate how the colors ripen. Choose a melon with a strong and consistent pattern. The green stripes should be dark green and deep, while the pale stripes should be light yellow. You should also give it a little. Press watermelon; if you hear a deep, empty sound, it indicates that you are juicy and mature.
What to prepare with watermelon
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Why we love: It’s a classic, refreshing summer salad that is perfect for those hot, long August afternoons. The subtle flavors of cucumber and creamy feta salad enhance the salad without overcoming those sweet, smooth flavors.
Hero component: A clapperboard adds a bit of crispness, sharpness, and smell.
You want to smell your figs. Adult figs should smell fresh, not funky or fermented. Choose soft figs but avoid hidden ones.
What to prepare with figs
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Why we love: This salad is perfect on a plate, if you ask me! The creamy burrata and the sweet and beautiful figs make up a simple but very refined dish. Fresh mint adds a little of its shine and binds everything together. I will eat this when I repeat!
Hero component: Candied walnuts add a bit of crunchy sweetness, which can’t be surpassed.
Give the peach a gentle squeeze, you want to feel a little softness. Avoid wrinkled peaches and make sure you smell them to know that they smell nice and classically smell like peaches.
What to prepare with peaches
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Why we love: It’s not much easier (or more wonderful) than those grilled honey peaches and creams. Camille recommends buying stronger sides so that they stay in shape and don’t fall when hit by hot grids.
Hero component: Give the peaches a little sea salt to really raise the whole dish.
Look for tomatoes that feel firm but give a little. It must be very aromatic from the stem and must have a large weight for its size. Make sure you avoid tomatoes with blemishes, dark spots or bruises.
What to cook with tomatoes
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Why we love: Not much better than this perfect toned cake. It has a basic combination of cream cheese and goat cheese, so it is very creamy and juicy. The sweet and sunny quality of the tomatoes stands out beautifully, and makes it a delicious summer dish.
Hero component: Every bagel seasoning gives it something special.
Keep a watch with small, strong zucchini of bright green sugar. The smaller they are, the better the courgettes become bitter as they get bigger.
What to prepare with zucchini
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Why we love: If you’re a Carbonara lover, you’ll definitely want to try this turn of the classic pasta dish. It’s a creamy dream full of vegetables, textures and flavors.
Hero component: Frozen peas are Camille’s favorite pasta shortcuts, they love color, nutrients and kids.
Rate your blueberries to make sure they are sized, smooth, dry, chubby and strong. It can tell that the reddish hues are not fully ripe, so make sure the shade is purple or almost black.
What to eat blueberries
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Why we love: There is no better way to start the morning than with delicious bread flour, and this baked bread is easy, healthy and delicious. It’s basically a cross between bread milk and banana bread – perfect!
Hero component: Seeds and nuts will help give you tons of energy during the morning.
