August is peak season for a lot of summer fruits and vegetables. A lot of the recipes in this month's collection help you enjoy the produce, but beat the heat by getting outside on the grill or making a fresh salad.
What fruits are in season in August?
Apples and pears start showing up this month, but before you run out to buy them, know this:
Apples can be stored for a year, or more, at special processing facilities. If you are at a grocery store, there is no way to tell if it is a fresh apple, or an older one. The older ones lose some quality in flavor and texture. Go to a farmers market to get your apples to ensure they are fresh.
Pears are unique because they are one of the few fruits that are better when picked from the tree when fully mature, but not yet fully ripe. When left on the tree to ripen, they get woody or mealy.
What vegetables are in season?
Summer vegetables are still abundant and still often at their peak flavor, including corn, peppers, and tomatoes. Winter squash aren't quite ready yet, you'll have to wait another month for those.
For a full list of other months and all of the detailed produce guides, go to the in-season page.
Recipes for August
For recipes that only use produce in season this month, check out the August farmers market recipe collection. It includes recipes for the best-tasting, peak fruits & veggies, as well as options for turning bland fruits into something delightful (like bourbon soaked peach syrup for pancakes!)