Trendy innovation and lightning-speed journey have enabled many to eat unrestricted by the seasons. Craving squash in July, or asparagus in December? The grocery retailer has it. Even farmers’ markets carry just a few low season gadgets—reminiscent of apples year-round. However simply because it’s there doesn’t imply it’s at its peak. Trendy comfort might have eradicated seasonality, however that’s not essentially a profit relating to style. We requested Kenny Tanaka of Tanaka Farms in Irvine, CA and recipe developer and cookbook creator Joni Marie Newman to be taught extra about summer season greens and tips on how to put together them.
Sarah Adler
1 Corn
We all know, we all know, corn is technically a fruit, however as a result of it eats like a vegetable, we’re together with it right here. Farmer Tanaka even put white candy corn on the prime of his summer season vegetable checklist. “It’s so candy, you may eat it uncooked!” he exclaimed. Whereas shucking is usually a slight inconvenience, it’s completely value the additional effort for recent corn throughout the summer season months. When deciding on your ears, search for a brilliant inexperienced husk that holds on tight to the cob. Keep away from free or yellowed husks.
Learn how to prep it: uncooked, boiled, steamed, or grilled
What to make with it: Vegan Summer time Picnic Corn and Poblano Pepper Salad
Create Mindfully
2 Hatch chilies
Spice-averse, don’t fear—these massive peppers are much less about spice and extra about their intense taste. The hatch chile peak season is comparatively brief—sometimes August by September—so get your fill when you can. Learn how to decide a pepper? Search for a brilliant inexperienced pepper (they flip pink as they ripen) that feels heavy for its measurement. The pores and skin must also be taut and agency.
Learn how to prep it: roasted or grilled
What to make with it: Vegan Inexperienced Corn Tamales
Erin Scott
3 Cucumber
Shock, that is additionally a fruit (most of us have been severely misled in elementary college relating to produce). With cucumbers—and most greens, as you’ll see—greater just isn’t essentially higher. Smaller ‘cukes are typically much less water-logged and extra flavorful. Choose a cucumber that’s vibrantly inexperienced and never the most important of the bunch.
Learn how to prep it: uncooked or pickled
What to make with it: 10-Minute Refreshing Vegan Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
Lisa Daybreak Angerame
4 Eggplant
Those that don’t develop up cooking eggplant are sometimes intimidated by this bulbous fruit (simply assume that three of the following seven gadgets on this checklist are technically fruits). Summer time is the time to experiment with eggplant. When it’s at its peak, it’s much less more likely to be bitter. Search for a brilliant purple, small-to-midsize plant that’s agency to the contact.
Learn how to prep it: sautéed, roasted, grilled, steamed, or fried
What to make with it: Sticky Candy Miso Eggplant
Holly V. Grey
5 Okra
Those that don’t get pleasure from okra simply haven’t had it ready to their liking. This warm-weather veggie is extraordinarily versatile, and whereas okra-based gumbo is outstanding, there’s much more okra can do. Select the brightest items you’ll find which can be not more than 4 inches lengthy, and keep away from any blemished or gentle pods.
Learn how to prep it: fried, stewed, pickled, or sautéed
What to make with it: Okra Pilaf with Coconut Bacon
Michelle Tchea
6 Tomatoes
Summer time is the time to splurge on the heirloom selection. Even tomato-haters could also be enthusiastic about these lopsided, multi-colored fruits. They’re candy, agency, and minimally slimy in comparison with a roma or beefsteak tomato. Decide heirlooms which can be agency, heavy for his or her measurement, and dazzle you with their distinctive designs.
Learn how to prep it: uncooked, roasted, grilled, or pickled
What to make with it: Matthew Kenney’s Uncooked Lasagna
Summer time Sanders
7 Avocados
Eating places ought to actually drop the upcharge for avocados and guacamole throughout summertime. Throughout the low season, positive, we begrudgingly perceive, however avocados are ample throughout the summer season. To pick an avo that’s able to eat, gently maintain the produce in your palm and provides it a really delicate squeeze. The pores and skin ought to give ever-so-slightly. If it’s onerous sufficient to double as a projectile weapon, enable it to ripen just a few days. If it’s gentle, make guacamole.
Learn how to prep it: uncooked or grilled
What to make with it: Uncooked Spicy Avocado Jalapeño Soup
Andrea Hannemann
8 Inexperienced beans
It’s odd that inexperienced bean casserole is so common throughout the late fall, as a result of inexperienced beans are at their finest throughout the summer season. Throughout these scorching months, you don’t must cowl up the beans with a vegan bechamel sauce—they’re delicious on their very own. We don’t counsel you decide by each single bean on the farmers’ market, however attempt to seize a handful of the brightest-hued beans. At residence, compost any beans that don’t have a crisp snap to them.
Learn how to prep it: uncooked, steamed, or sautéed
What to make with it: Vegan Niçoise Salad
Wallflower Kitchen
9 New potatoes
No, a brand new potato varietal has not been invented. These spuds are tiny, spherical tubers which can be harvested earlier than they develop into the baseball-sized potato we use for baking and mashing. New potatoes are tender, buttery, and fluffy. The very best ones are agency and free from sprouts, bruises, or wrinkles.
Learn how to prep it: steamed, roasted, or grilled
What to make with it: Balsamic Roasted New Potatoes with Asparagus
America’s Take a look at Kitchen
10 Zucchini
Ever reached for a cucumber solely to understand it’s a zucchini? Thankfully, they’re each in season throughout summer season. Like cucumbers, you don’t desire a large zucchini—the smaller ones sometimes comprise extra taste. You’ll additionally need to choose a squash that’s heavy, agency, and brilliant inexperienced. Right here’s to zoodles all summer season lengthy.
Learn how to prep it: uncooked, steamed, roasted, grilled, or pickled
What to make with it: Vegan Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini Salad
Rachel Carr
11 Shishito Peppers
Farmer Tanaka raved about these barely spicy summertime peppers. “They’re such a beautiful summertime deal with. Sauteed with somewhat olive oil and garlic and salt—so good. I serve them as an appetizer.” Like most greens on this checklist, the colour needs to be brilliant and the pores and skin needs to be taut and agency.
Learn how to prep it: roasted, grilled, pickled, sauteed, or fried
What to make with it: Pumpkin tamales with Shishito Peppers
For extra vegan summer-ready recipes, learn:
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews in addition to a author and runner dwelling in Orange County, CA.
