This year, one of my goals is to cut down on grocery expenses by buying in-season produce. Since I’m doing the research anyway, I thought I would share it with you guys! Buying in season is more important than ever. It keeps grocery costs down and ensures food will supply the most nutrients.
For this month, be sure to also check out the July Produce Guide as well. Some of the produce for July will still be in season through August or even September. In fact, as it reaches the end of its growing season, some produce items may be priced even lower than they were at their peak as they try to sell the surplus!
Of course, what produce is in season can vary by region, so I focused on the Southwest in my research. If you are on the east coast, it should still apply, but some things vary. I also included recipes you can make with this month’s produce, so hopefully, it helps inspire your weekly menu this month!
Enjoy some fresh summer produce with some vibrant, gorgeous looking fruits and vegetables! I’ve included some of my top favorite produce items for August, as well as recipes for each one, so you can be inspired to eat healthfully this month.
Basil
This aromatic herb is one of my favorite ways to add flavor to any recipe! From pasta to burgers to hummus, basil is an herb that can enhance so many different dishes. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also full of nutritional benefits! Fresh basil provides vitamins A, K, and manganese, and it supplies beneficial plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. Now that this herb is in season, be sure to pick it up and use it in your kitchen whenever you have the chance!
Check out some of my favorite recipes featuring basil:
- Crockpot Turkey Meatballs
- Lemon Basil Dairy Free Nut Free Pesto “Hummus”
- Walnut Pesto Turkey Burgers
Click Here For More Basil Recipes >>
Bell Peppers
Whether you eat bell peppers raw or cooked, this is one vegetable that brings both flavor and nutrition to the table. Not only are they versatile in the kitchen, but they are incredibly rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants (such as capsanthin)! Since your body can’t naturally produce vitamin C, adding peppers to your diet may help improve your immune system, help reduce your risk of chronic disease, and help manage high blood pressure. Now that peppers are in season, be sure to take advantage of them at the farmers market!
Check out some of my favorite recipes featuring bell peppers:
Click Here For More Bell Pepper Recipes >>
Chiles
Spice things up a bit in your kitchen with chiles! These vibrant peppers are a good way to kick your food up a notch, all while providing some good nutritional benefits. Chiles have been found to help fight inflammation, provide cardiovascular benefits, clear congestion, and boost immunity. What’s not to love about that? Enjoy them in some of your favorite dishes all month long.
Check out some of my favorite recipes featuring chiles:
Click Here For More Chile Recipes >>
Plums
Raise your hand if you’re excited about stone fruit season! Plums are just one of the stone fruits out right now, and since they are ripe and full of flavor, I’m taking full advantage of them. There are so many ways you can enjoy this juicy fruit; from eating them plain to throwing some in salads to baking into a dessert, plums are a tasty way to boost nutrition while providing flavor. Nutritionally speaking, plums are rich in antioxidants and may help benefit heart health and lower blood sugar levels. Plus, they are rich in calcium, vitamin C, magnesium, and folate!
Check out some recipes from other dietitians featuring plums:
- Plum-Almond Galette from A Little Nutrition
- Plum Salad with Arugula and Blue Cheese from Walder Wellness
- Grilled Stone Fruit with Ricotta from The Domestic Dietitian
Shelling Beans
Summer is the time to enjoy some freshly shelled beans! These types of beans require a bit of effort to prepare, but they are incredibly tasty when you get to the finished product. Once shelled, these beans offer a creamy, sweet taste that far exceed the dried varieties! There are many types of shelling beans, including fava beans, cranberry beans, lima beans, and scarlet runner beans, and can be found at your farmers market or local grocery store. Plus, they’re teeming with health benefits, such as plant-based protein, fiber, calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium. Have fun with them in the kitchen this month!
Check out some recipes from other dietitians featuring shelling beans:
- Fresh Cranberry Beans with Pasta and Greens from The Plant-Powered Dietitian
- One-Pot Butter Beans and Greens from The Grateful Grazer
- Slow Cooker Greek Baked Beans from The Foodie Dietitian
I’m so excited to pick up some of these items at the farmer’s market next weekend. Thanks for including one of my recipes.