Eating Seasonally Made Simple: August
Summer is hanging on for a few more weeks and August is ready to bring us sweet corn and stone fruits at their peak, along with some more of the summer favorites we’ve been enjoying the last couple of months like berries, squash, tomatoes & watermelon.
Here in the PNW, u-pick farms are full of blueberry bushes, peach & cherry trees ready to be picked and enjoyed! U-picking our own produce at nearby farms has been a family favorite tradition each year. It’s a great way to show the kids where their food comes from and to form an appreciation for the farmers and their families and all the hard work they do to bring us delicious food every year.
We also have blackberries growing abundantly all around us. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you ask my kids) some have even crept into our backyard this year and we’ve been graced with blackberries almost every morning for the past couple of weeks. They grow very quickly and can overtake a backyard in a flash so after this season, they won’t be staying with us in our tiny backyard. But it’s been fun to watch them grow and enjoy their fruits this summer!
August presents a variety of bright and beautiful colors and flavors, meaning endless opportunities for adding phytonutrients and antioxidants to your plate. As you fill your grocery cart, aim for color! Consider this your cheat sheet for what to eat in season this month.
What’s in Season in August
Apricots
Cherries
Blueberries
Carrots
Blackberries
Cucumbers
Pineapple
Peppers
Raspberries
Peaches
Figs
Cauliflower
Strawberries
Plums
Cantaloupe
Green Beans
Corn
Tomatoes
Summer squash
Mangoes
Watermelon
August Recipe Ideas
Cucumbers
Make a simple cucumber salad.
Build a sandwich with thinly sliced cucumbers, spinach, purple onion and bell peppers with a spread of hummus on sprouted whole grain bread.
Add a few slices to any nourish bowl or stir fry for a little crunch.
Zucchini
Make a chicken taco skillet - add chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, onion and zucchini to a pan with taco seasoning. Top with fresh avocado slices and a sprinkle of cheese and cilatro, if desired.
Summer “zoodles” - spiralize zucchini and toss into a pan with cooked chicken, olive oil, cherry tomatoes, garlic, salt & pepper. Top with a sprinkling of raw parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Looking for even more summertime recipe inspiration? Check out my new recipe collections for Summer below!!
Downloadable eBook filled with 40 seasonal salad recipes to help you make the most of eating in season this summer.
Downloadable eBook filled with 35 crisp & refreshing drink recipes to keep you hydrated during the warm Summer months.
