What’s In Season: August

My goodness!  How is it August already?  How is the Summer almost over?  And how is it almost my birthday again?  This is getting out of hand, people.

Dustin and I have been wanting to put together lists of what produce is available during different times of the year for quite a while now.  Since we have been following a mostly clean diet and healthy lifestyle, we’ve become very familiar with what foods are available at what times of the year.  In this post, I’m going to share what’s in season in August so we all have a good idea what vegetables and fruits are available in August when the summer is nice and hot.

Why Should I Buy Produce That’s In Season?

Staying on top of what’s fresh and is season throughout the year is very helpful for a number of reasons, which are listed below.

Seasonal Fruit Is Cheaper When In-Season

Buying in-season fruits and vegetables is way cheaper than when not in season.  Ever notice why peaches are only .59 cents per pound sometimes but a whopping 2.99 per pound other times?  This is a great way to save money on groceries.

Easier To Buy Local Produce

If you’re wanting to buy your produce from locally-sourced farms and farmers markets, you’re gonna be limited to what is actually available…locally. That means that paying attention to when produce is in season will tell you what you’ll be able to find at your local farmers markets.

More Variety When Eating Seasonal Produce

Following a diet that focuses on eating the foods that are in season allows you more variety in the food you’re eating.  You get to choose from squashes, zucchini, sweet corn, and figs in the summer and look forward to pumpkins, citrus, and other foods during different times of the year.

Seasonal Fruits Taste Better

It’s true that you can more or less find any vegetable or fruit option at a major grocery store.  Yes, it’s easier to find pumpkins in the fall and cranberries in the winter.  But, overall, most anything is available year-round at your grocery store.  That being said, seasonal fruit tastes better. It didn’t have to be picked when it wasn’t yet ripe, and then transported thousands of miles to get there.

What’s In Season In August?

Eggplant

Typically, when I think of eggplants, I picture them breaded and smothered in parmesan and marinara sauce in eggplant parmesan.  But, they also are great for grilling and adding to stir fry.

Recipes Using Eggplant

• Eggplant Parmesan
• Cheesy Baked Eggplant Pizza (Pinch Of Yum)
• Curry Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Soup (Pinch Of Yum)
• Creamy Eggplant & Caramelized Onion Dip (Minimalist Baker)

Beets

Beets are delicious when roasted, but can also be used as a healthy substitution in brownies.  Many people like to use beet juice in drinks, too, since it’s such a deep red.  Personally, I love them in salad or pickled.

Recipes Using Beets

• Roasted Beet Salad With Feta
• Fudgy Vegan Beet Cupcakes (Minimalist Baker)
• Vegan Double Chocolate Beet Muffins (Minimalist Baker)
• Baked Rosemary Beet Chips (Minimalist Baker)

Broccoli

Broccoli is possibly my favorite vegetable.  While many enjoy it raw as part of a salad or dipped in ranch for the kiddos, roasted broccoli is one of the best sides ever.  It’s great to add into a stir fry or just have simply steams with some sea salt.  It’s extremely nutritious for you as well.

Recipes Using Broccoli

• Healthy Beef With Broccoli
• Roasted Broccoli
• Broccoli & Chicken Stuffed Baked Potato
• Easy Orange Chicken
• Chicken Stir Fry

Cabbage

Somehow, I’m the only one in my family that loves cabbage.  I’m not sure how this happened or why I can’t win them over, but such is life.  Cabbage is so good in Corned Beef & Cabbage and coleslaw.  Maybe someday they will change their minds 😉

Recipes Using Cabbage

• Baja Fish Tacos
• Corned Beef & Cabbage
• Easy Coleslaw
• Asian Coleslaw

Carrots

While they can be steamed or cooked in brown sugar any ol’ day, carrots are amazing when roasted.  They also work great in soups and stews. Personally, I could eat raw carrots all day.  Is that weird?

Recipes Using Carrots

• Lemon, Chicken Orzo Soup
• Thyme-Roasted Carrots
• Dijon-Roasted Chicken & Carrots
• Maple Ginger Glazed Carrots
• Carrot Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting
• Easy Chicken & Dumplings
• Cold Lentil Salad
• Hearty Beef Stew

Cauliflower

Is there anything cauliflower can’t do?  It’s like the chameleon of vegetables, but healthier.  You can mash it, saute it, roast it, puree it, and even turn it into a cheese sauce and no one would be the wiser.  I always have a head of cauliflower in my fridge during the summer because of how many uses it has.

Recipes Using Cauliflower

• Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”
• Creamy Cauliflower Sauce (Pinch Of Yum)
• Healthy Mushroom Alfredo Pasta Bake (Pinch Of Yum)
• Cauliflower Twice Baked Potatoes (Minimalist Baker)
• Cauliflower Chowder (Damn Delicious)
• Parmesan Cauliflower Bites (Damn Delicious)

Figs

There’s possibly nothing better than a ripe, sweet, fresh fig, warm from the tree.  Fresh figs always bring me back to my childhood and parking it right under a giant fig tree, stuffing myself on fresh figs until I couldn’t eat anymore.  Man, I miss that tree.  Figs are delicious fresh and by themselves, but they are also prefect for salads, or roasted with brie as an appetizer.  So good!

Recipes Using Figs

• Fig, Pistachio & Goat Cheese Salad
• Caramelized Banana & Fig Oatmeal (Pinch Of Yum)
• Roasted Potatoes With Maple Fig Sauce (Pinch Of Yum)
• Philly Cheesesteak Pizza With Balsamic Fig Reduction (Damn Delicious)

Garlic

Fresh garlic is surprisingly easy to grow – we just tried growing our own garlic this year and it was really fun.  Garlic is a must in pretty much any house.  It can be roasted, sautéed, and served raw as well.  It’s a great way add lots of flavor to any dish.

Recipes Using Garlic

• Garlic-Roasted Pork Chops
• Homemade Garlic Bread
• Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
• Homemade Garlic Fries
• Garlic Sautéed Spinach
• Spinach & Feta Burgers With Garlic Aioli
• Linguine With Shrimp Scampi

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are so yummy.  They can be added to sauces, like spaghetti with meat sauce, and add a great texture to anything.  We like to add them raw to salads, but also enjoy them sautéed with onions a lot.  They have a texture similar to meat and have lots of nutrients.  They’re also delicious when grilled.

Recipes Using Mushrooms

• Pesto & Goat Cheese Burger
• Chicken Marsala
• Marinated Mushrooms
• Thanksgiving Stuffing
• Steak With Creamy Balsamic Mushroom Sauce
• Spinach, Mushroom & Jack Quesadillas
• Philly Cheesesteaks
• Cheese Au Gratin Potatoes
• Hearty Beef Stew
• Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms

Onions

Onions, like mushrooms, can be added to so many sauces in order to add a little texture and flavor to a recipe.  Onions come in all sorts of varieties and really stand out in salsas, burgers, salads, soups, and so much more.

Recipes Using Onion

• French Onion Soup
• Easy Roasted Pork Tenderloin
• Pesto & Goat Cheese Burgers
• The Perfect Guacamole
• Cold Lentil Salad
• Roasted Asparagus

Peaches

We sure do love our peaches during the summer.  We usually travel to a nearby city called Fredericksburg and pick our own fresh peaches (because why the heck wouldn’t you?!?).  Peaches are great just by themselves, but also make amazing jam, ice cream, and so much more.

Recipes Using Peaches

• Peach Ice Cream
• Fresh Peach Jam
• Peach Protein Shake
• Fresh Peach Cobbler

Spinach

Spinach is an amazingly nutritious and healthy green, leafy vegetable that is so versatile.  You can eat it raw in salad, but it also sautés very well and is great to add in extra flavor and nutrients to things like soups, pizza, burgers, or omelets.

Recipes Using Spinach

• Spinach & Feta Burgers With Garlic Aioli
• Garlic Sautéed Spinach
• Green Protein Smoothie
• Spinach, Mushroom & Jack Quesadillas
• Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing
• Chicken, Alfredo & Spinach Pizza
• Spinach & Strawberry Salad With Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Strawberries

Quite possibly the best fruit ever, strawberries are a must for us during the summer.  Strawberries are perfect for salads, both savory and sweet, and also are delicious made into jam or on shortcakes.  Yum!

Recipes Using Strawberries

• Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake
• Strawberry Mint Lemonade
• Strawberry Protein Shake
• Strawberry Jam
• Spinach & Strawberry Salad With Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Squash

Squash is so easy to make and can be used in so many things.  We love to use spaghetti squash for noodles and muffins.  Acorn squash and butternut squash are great when roasted or turned into soup.  They have such an earthy, delicate flavor.

Recipes Using Squash

• Butternut Squash Bisque
• Roasted Acorn Squash Soup
• Baked Eggs In Spaghetti Squash Nests
• Roasted Acorn Squash

Sweet Corn

Nothing says summer BBQ like some grilled corn on the cob.  It’s hard to think of summer without the abundance of fresh corn that is super sweet and delicious.  Corn can be added to salads, served with just some simple seasoning, or even turned into creamed corn for one of the most amazing side dishes ever.

Recipes Using Corn

• Fresh Creamed Corn
• Grilled Corn
• Edamame, Corn & Quinoa Salad
• Parmesan Corn On The Cob (Damn Delicious)
• Mushroom, Corn & Bacon Chowder (Damn Delicious)

Tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes from the vine during the summer is such a treat.  So is turning it into a delicious salsa or tomato bruschetta.  Tomatoes offer a pungent, acidic, and tart flavor and can be served raw, cooked, or even roasted.

Recipes Using Tomatoes

• Tomato Bruschetta
• Simple Tomato Sauce
• Roasted Tomato Sauce
• Four Cheese Tomato Sauce
• Cream of Tomato Soup
• Caprese Salad

Zucchini

Fresh summer zucchini is awesome to use in baked goods since it’s such a healthy substitution for flour.  We also love turning zucchini into noodles for a healthy, low noodle alternative.  It can also be grilled, roasted, and sautéed and is super healthy.

Recipes Using Zucchini

• Baked Chicken Meatballs With Sautéed Zucchini
• Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Bread
• Zucchini Noodles
• Sweet Zucchini Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting