On June 21st the summer solstice passed and that means that from now until late autumn there is an abundance of seasonal produce available in the UK. We are so used to seeing so many of the fruits and vegetables that are in season right now on the shelves of the supermarket all year round.
This has left many of us forgetful about the delicious joy a perfectly ripe strawberry or fresh podded peas can bring. If you’re not growing your own, we urge you to shop beyond the supermarket this summer and head to local greengrocers, markets and farms to pick up fresh local produce.
Here is the best of the season:
July
Beetroot
Cabbage
Carrots
Courgettes
Cucumbers
Fennel
French beans
Lettuce and other salad leaves
New potatoes
Peas and mangetout
Radish
Runner beans
Tomatoes
Spinach
Spring onions
Shallots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Loganberries
Raspberries
Tayberries
August
Aubergines
Beetroot
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Carrots
Celery
Chard
Courgettes
Cucumbers
Fennel
French beans
Lettuce and other salad leaves
Potatoes
Peas and mangetout
Peppers and chilies
Runner beans
Tomatoes
Spring onions
Sweetcorn
Blackberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Plums
Early apple varieties such as ‘Discovery’
Don’t forget to check out this month’s recipe a warm lemon lentil and courgette salad which uses the best produce of the season.