From crisp corn to juicy peaches and watermelon, our Produce department is brimming with a bounty of colors, flavors and textures. Get cooking with summer’s finest fruits and veggies, or simply enjoy them raw. Here are a few of our top produce picks and ways to enjoy them. Plus, some inspirational recipes to kickstart your most delicious summer yet.
P.S. We feature weekly sales on your favorite produce, so be sure to check your store before you shop.
In-Season Summer Fruits
Berries
Summer brings a windfall of berries — blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries — just waiting to be served atop yogurt, blended in a smoothie or baked into a summer pie. Berries are best stored unwashed in the refrigerator and eaten within a few days. Wash just before eating for the optimal berry experience.
Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons
Summer is prime time for melons. Celebrate the season by trying new-to-you varieties like Hami or Canary melons. Enjoy these summer treats on their own or within a refreshing salad.
Cherries
Cherry season is short but oh-so-sweet. When our field inspectors scout out cherries for our stores, they’re looking for fresh green stems and firm, juicy fruit. Add cherries to salads, desserts and salsas — and keep an eye out for unique varieties like Rainier and Timberline cherries.
Stone Fruits
Juicy stone fruits like peaches, plums, apricots and nectarines peak at different times throughout the summer. Firm stone fruits are perfect for grilling, but if you prefer a riper fruit, store it on the counter until there’s a slight give.
Watermelon
With its perfectly sweet juice and satisfying crunch, watermelon is the ultimate summer companion and portable thirst quencher. Watermelon stars as an afternoon snack or summer salad ingredient. Although it’s best to enjoy ASAP, cut watermelon can be refrigerated for two to three days.
Grapes
Whether it’s adding sweetness to a chicken salad or accompanying a picnic lunch, grapes get the job done. Chilled grapes travel well in the cooler, while frozen grapes are nature’s little treat (they can also double as “ice cubes” for cool drinks). Seek out firm, fresh grapes with green stems and wash just before eating.
In-Season Summer Vegetables
Corn
Long hot days and warm summer nights make corn on the cob a must. Corn performs well either boiled or grilled and is generally at its sweetest when eaten as close to harvest as possible. Keep an eye out in your store’s Produce department for local farmers’ bounties.
Summer Squashes
Zucchini and yellow squash are some of the most versatile veggies. They can be eaten raw as vegetable noodles or crudités, diced for omelets or simply grilled. Store your squash haul in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer and wash just before using.
Tomatoes
The warmer months bring us the season’s best tomatoes. From little cherry tomatoes to large heirlooms, you’ll find a spectrum of colors, shapes and sizes with differing textures, sweetness, juiciness and acidity. Summer’s the time to try them all.
Okra
A summer staple in the South, okra is a great veggie to keep stocked. Fried okra and gumbo are the usual go-tos, but okra really shines when it’s pickled, picking up smoky flavor on the grill or halved and roasted into oven fries.
Inspiring Recipes for Summer Fruits and Veggies
Crunchy Okra Picnic Salad
This salad combines the South’s most beloved summer garden ingredients — okra, cucumbers and tomatoes — in a playful dish that’s perfect alongside grilled pork chops or burgers. You could also toss this hearty salad with freshly chopped Italian parsley or baby arugula.
Shrimp, Corn and Red Pepper Sandwiches
Inspired by the cuisine of coastal Mexico, this unique recipe blends plump shrimp with sweet, peak-of-season corn and zesty red bell peppers for a superb summer sandwich. Serve with blue corn tortilla chips and fresh salsa or guacamole and enjoy a light, refreshing meal.
Summer Squash and Goat Cheese Pizza
This simple and delicious pizza is fabulous hot from the oven as a main course, but works equally well as a room-temperature appetizer. Garnish the pizza with fresh basil or oregano and a sprinkling of sea salt.
Summer Melon Caprese Salad
This new take on the classic caprese salad replaces tomatoes with slices of sweet summer melon. Serve it with ciabatta as the centerpiece of a light lunch or brunch, or as a first course at dinner.
Summer Harvest Ratatouille
Ratatouille, a traditional French vegetable dish of eggplant, bell peppers, onions, summer squash and tomatoes. It’s an ideal side dish to serve with grilled or roasted fish or chicken.
Spiced Quick-Pickled Cherries
Serve these unique sweet-and-sour pickles with grilled meats, charcuterie or strong cheeses — that’s if you have any leftover from snacking.
Summer Berry Pudding
This traditional British preparation transforms sandwich bread and bright summer berries into a simple, sliceable dessert. Stale bread is best as it helps to soak up the fruit juice.
Grape Harvest Cake
This very tender, flavorful cake features juicy baked grapes and a splash of olive oil. Serve it as a breakfast, brunch or tea cake, or top it with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream for a sophisticated dessert.
