This week, I’d like to celebrate the bounty of produce in season this summer. Loads of colorful fruits and veggies means recipes that are vibrant and happy! I’ve joined a CSA for the first time, and am having fun cooking based on what’s delivered, not what’s on sale or catches my eye at the supermarket.
It’s certainly helped me spend less money on groceries. See, I have a bad habit of loading up the grocery cart with everything and anything that looks and smells good. I know what you’re gonna say: “Don’t go grocery shopping hungry!” But ladies and gents … I’m always hungry.
Let’s start with summer fruit! Blueberries, pineapple, mango and raspberries: Laurie of Simply Scratch shows us that when it comes to sweet, ripe fruit, simple is best. I love that Laurie adds lemon zest to this Summer Fruit Salad!
Apricot and cherries: Julie of Bananas for Bourbon makes a beautiful, boozy cake with her Brandy Buttermilk Apricot Cherry Upside Down Cake.
Eggplant and tomato: It’s not quite eggplant and tomato season here in too-hot Florida, but late June-July marks the beginning of the eggplant and tomato season in many other areas. Here’s a great twist to the Caprese Salad—add slices of eggplant! Inspired Taste makes Eggplant and Tomato Napoleons.
Summer squash: A Busy Nest makes a Lebanese Stuffed Squash that I can’t wait to make.
Corn: Siggy Spice reveals her secret to Best Corn Ever. Can you guess what she boils her corn in?
Basil and red pepper: Multiply Delicious makes these cutie Pesto Cheese Phyllo Bites. I love using the pre-made baby phyllo cups. They are simple to use and inexpensive as well. Find them in the freezer section, right where you’d normally find the regular frozen phyllo sheets.
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Jaden Hair is a food writer, television personality, and food photographer based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Find more of her recipes in her blog, Steamy Kitchen, where you can also read more about Jaden’s new book, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook, and the rave reviews it’s received!
16 Comments
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ibmzlorinsc01 on 6.30.2010
you were not kiddin!
this is the absolute BEST CORN EVER.
can’t wait to have it again on the 4th
thanks for the recipe
Paula on 6.26.2010
I absolutely love these carpacios!
Laurie - Simply Scratch on 6.25.2010
I couldn’t agree with you more, fresh local produce is the way to do it! Thanks for featuring my fruit salad!!! All of these recipes look and sound delicious!!
catlover5589 on 6.24.2010
Hurray for fresh produce! I’m so excited to eat it and cook with it and eat it
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) on 6.24.2010
I cannot wait for corn to be in season here in upstate NY!
Jenn
NormaB on 6.24.2010
Fresh produce is a real treasure in the summer! I just bought some blueberries and they were the best! Sweet and delicious! (They are not lasting long!!!)
Georgia Pellegrini on 6.24.2010
There’s nothing like fresh produce in the summer. I make as many dishes with it as fit my fancy, and then I can the rest to get a little taste of summer the rest of the year!
Lauren on 6.24.2010
Those Pesto-Cheese phyllo cups look amazing! I’m excited to try it out at my upcoming summer dinner party. Do you know how they hold up in the afternoon heat?
Jaclyn on 6.24.2010
So excited to try these recipes! They look great for summer! or even for a party. I also reccommend this pool party menu as it uses some of the same fresh summer fruits and veggies! http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetHome/recipes/19703/dive_in/?gal=19702#gallery_header
Married to an Aussie in OK on 6.24.2010
Ooooo I wish my husband liked eggplant! I really want to have that salad, and my kids would love it. On the other hand, he WILL like the phyllo cheese bites, so I guess I’ll have to settle. Gosh durn it.
Inspired Taste on 6.24.2010
Thanks so much for giving our Eggplant and Tomato Napoleons some love
It just happens to be my birthday today, so seeing that this morning was quite the present!
Plus, those Pesto Cheese Phyllo Bites look absolutely adorable and that corn, oh man!
Kathy on 6.24.2010
I try to use the produce in my garden and focus on fresh vegetables.
Patti on 6.24.2010
Fruit salad sounds so good right now..just bought a ton of fresh fruit yesterday so I may have to toss some together..nectarines, raspberries,blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries Yum!
cookincanuck on 6.24.2010
Whenever summertime rolls around, I get so excited about the fresh produce available at the farmer’s market and in my own backyard. You highlighted some recipes that I definitely want to try.
sweetebakes on 6.24.2010
Those egglplant and tomato napoleans look delish!!!
Jessica @ How Sweet on 6.24.2010
I can’t wait to try that best corn ever! I look forward to corn on the cob all year.