Seasonal Cooking For July

Welcome to the third installment of our monthly series that aims to help you cook more seasonally (visit our first one, Seasonal Cooking For May, for an introduction).

July is the month that the starts an abundance of seasonal foods. Some things, like nectarines and apricots, are only in season for a couple of months, so if you want them during the rest of the year you’ll need to freeze, can, or dry them now while they are at their lowest price and peak flavor.

What’s in season this month:

• Beets (don’t think you like beets? Try them this way- you might change your mind!)
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Garlic (about mid-month here, when the tops turn brown…)
• Green beans
• Lettuce
• Onions
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Squash
• Tomatoes (maybe by the end of the month here, if we’re lucky!)
• Apricots
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Cherries
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Raspberries
• Strawberries

In the Freezer and Pantry:

• Tomato products: salsa, tomato sauce, and canned tomatoes (tomatoes aren’t really ripe around here until August, so July is a time to use up last year’s tomatoes before the good stuff arrives).
• Just a few random vegetables to use up in the freezer- from now until October, it’s all about fresh vegetables and fruits that we grow or can buy locally!

Recipes for July:

Simple Supper Salads (just add grilled meat and bread for the perfect summer meal!)

Caesar Slaw (refreshing change from ordinary slaws)

Grilled Potato Planks (super easy side that goes with everything)

Berry Fool (shows you don’t need a fancy dessert to wow the family- I can’t believe how simple OR how fabulous this is!)
What are you planning to make this month with seasonal produce? Share with us in the comments or on our Facebook page!

–Jami

This is linked to Share Your Sunday Best, Mouthwatering Monday, Tasty Tuesday