5 Must-Have Produce and Meal Ideas for Summer

Every season I like to introduce new meals and ingredients to my clients’ menus. It keeps things interesting, and it’s healthier, too! Mother Nature knows exactly what we need each season, and in summer, it’s all about raw, delicate fruits and veggies to keep us cool and hydrated.

Produce in season doesn’t require much preparation because it’s perfect as-is. But incorporating these fresh ingredients into your dishes in new and unique ways will add intrigue to your plate—and bring the whole family around the table.

When planning your weekly meals and snacks, take a page from About the Table. We’ll be highlighting these seasonal favorites in our clients’ menus. Add them to your grocery list or let us do it for you!

Summer Produce & Meal Ideas

Cherries: Perfectly sweet and tart, take advantage of cherries while you can (as much as you can). They’re a great snack to enjoy on the go or at the beach. You can also incorporate them into your side dishes and desserts. Think: cherries over vanilla ice cream, homemade cherry jam and this Quinoa Salad with Cherries and Feta.

Berries: Another snackable fruit to have on hand, berries are bursting with nutrients and antioxidants. Try all varieties, from strawberries to blackberries, in muesli, yogurt, smoothies and salads. Top with whipped cream for a sweet treat or macerate in balsamic vinegar to use as a sauce on grilled steaks.

Peaches: Juicy peaches are the stars of summer! And they pair perfectly with lots of unexpected ingredients. Some appetizer and meal ideas? Peach salsa over pork chops or pork tenderloin. Sliced peaches wrapped in salty prosciutto. Grilled peaches with mascarpone cheese and honey. Or, keep it simple and add raw peaches to your cheese boards for easy entertaining.

Eggplant: Ripening in July and throughout the season, eggplant is a diverse ingredient I love to cook with. Hearty dishes like eggplant parmesan and eggplant rollatini are ideal for a crowd—especially if you have vegetarians in your family. For a weekday meal, try grilled eggplant and chicken served over arugula and spinach salad.

Bell Peppers: Sliced, stuffed or stir-fried, the opportunities with bell peppers are limitless. Enjoy raw with hummus. Stuff with meat, rice and tomato sauce for a one-pan Mediterranean meal. Cut into matchsticks and add to a veggie and chicken stir fry with brown rice (one of our faves!). Peppers come in fun colors so mix and match them all to add a rainbow to your plates and platters.

Too busy this summer?
Vacation, camp, beach days, work…your schedule is probably jam-packed! Skip the fast food and let us come up with seasonal meal ideas just for you! We’ll keep you healthy and happy with fresh dishes stored in your fridge or packed in a cooler for your travels.

Contact us to get started or to request your summer favorites!