Farm Fresh Summer – There’s nothing quite like cooking with ingredients that were picked just minutes—or maybe hours—ago. Summer is a glorious time on the farm, bursting with vibrant color, juicy flavor, and fresh inspiration for the kitchen. Whether you’re tending your own garden or shopping the stalls at the local farmers market, knowing how to make the most of summer produce can turn everyday meals into something unforgettable.
Eat What’s in Season
Summer produce isn’t just delicious—it’s also nature’s way of giving you exactly what your body craves in the heat: hydration, nutrients, and light, refreshing flavors. Here are some of the MVPs of the summer garden for farm fresh summer cooking:
- Tomatoes – From juicy heirlooms to cherry-sized bursts of sweetness, tomatoes are the poster child of summer. Perfect for slicing, roasting, or tossing raw into salads.
- Zucchini & Yellow Squash – These versatile veggies are fast growers and even faster to cook. Grill them, spiralize them into “zoodles,” or bake into breads.
- Cucumbers – Crisp and cooling, cukes are perfect in salads, pickled, or blended into chilled soups.
- Peppers – Bell or hot, they add crunch and zing to salsas, stir-fries, and kebabs.
- Corn – Nothing beats sweet corn on the cob—but don’t sleep on corn salads, fritters, or chowders.
- Berries – Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are as good in salads as they are in desserts.
- Herbs – Basil, mint, dill, cilantro, and parsley can elevate everything from grilled meats to lemonade.
Tips for Using Your Farm Fresh Summer Bounty
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Harvest or buy early in the morning.
Veggies and fruits are at their crispest and coolest early in the day. -
Store correctly.
Tomatoes don’t belong in the fridge. Herbs love a damp paper towel wrap. Cucumbers hate cold drafts. A little know-how goes a long way. -
Keep it simple.
When produce is at its peak, let it shine. A dash of salt, a glug of olive oil, and a spritz of lemon might be all you need. -
Grill, don’t bake.
Use that grill to keep the heat out of the kitchen. Almost every summer vegetable loves a little char. -
Try “fridge foraging.”
Challenge yourself to create meals with whatever you’ve harvested that day. It’s fun, and it reduces waste.
3 Easy Farm Fresh Summer Recipes to Try This Week
Tomato Basil Salad with Fresh Mozzarella
- Sliced heirloom tomatoes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh mozzarella
- Olive oil, salt, and balsamic drizzle
Arrange, drizzle, devour. Summer in a bowl.
Zucchini & Corn Fritters
- Grated zucchini (squeeze out excess water)
- Fresh corn kernels
- Egg, flour, salt, pepper
- Pan-fry in a bit of oil until golden brown
Chilled Cucumber Mint Soup
- Cucumbers, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon, fresh mint
- Blend until smooth, chill, and serve with a dollop of sour cream
A Life on the Farm is beginning a series of farm fresh summer cooking ideas! We just completed a series of informational and instructional posts concerning various aspects of much needed cooking skills. Check them out and be sure to subscribe and come back for that and more!
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