Seasonal Eating: August Veggies and Recipes

Sunday, August 5, 2012

August Veggies and Recipes

Bees Spending the Night Away from the Hive

Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy

Golden days of August are perfect for vacation, whether it’s two weeks away from home or a few hours in the backyard hammock. First harvest has passed, and many more fruits and veggies are ripening for our enjoyment this month. In the midst of this abundance, sunlight takes on a new slant by month’s end, foreshadowing the approach of darker days in the seasonal cycle. Like our ancestors, we might consider preserving August’s bounty for both economic and culinary reasons, while eating all that we like of our summer favorites.

Heirloom Isis Candy Cherry Tomatoes

This month is ideal for cooking Italian and Mexican style, as tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, squash, corn, basil, and cilantro harvests get plentiful. Salads, with lettuce freshly picked from the garden and any variety of chopped veggies and fruits can be topped with grilled chicken or fish for an easy to prepare meal that won’t heat up the house.

Strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries make summery snacks. Apricots, plums, peaches, and nectarines can be enjoyed as is or baked into cobblers, pies, and breads.

Poppyseeds in the Making

Now is the time to make berry jam and to freeze berries. The stone fruits are also easy to freeze for simple winter treats or for baking. I also like to bake tomato sauce and freeze it for unseasonably delicious winter pastas. You could choose to can your sauce instead, especially if you can find one or two friends or family members to divide the labor (and its fruits).

Enjoy your summery month, and do find some time to give yourself a vacation, of whatever length you can.