We try really hard in our household to buy fruits and vegetables at the peak of season. For one, they’re cheapest when they’re at their peak, but most importantly they taste amazing. I’ll be completely honest: hothouse tomatoes (tomatoes grown in a greenhouse) from the grocery store in December are not even allowed in our house. Blech. Even canned tomatoes in the winter months taste better, and are cheaper!
So, as the weather warms up, I’ve put together a guide to our favorite fruits and vegetables in season in summer! Find a list of our favorites, with accompanying summer recipes. And don’t forget the freezer: you can buy fruits and vegetables in bulk this summer, prep them for cooking, and save them for cooking later…you’ll be able to enjoy summer on your table well into the fall!
What's in Season This Summer: Your Guide to Fruits and Vegetables at the Peak of Season
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AVOCADOS
WHEN TO BUY: Avocado season varies, but the most popular Hass avocados are at their peak between April and October - the perfect summer fruit!
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
SHOULD YOU FREEZE AVOCADOS? Heck yes! Out of season, avocados can cost upwards of $3 each. Yikes! Learn how to freeze avocados.
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BLUEBERRIES
WHEN TO BUY: East Coast blueberries begin to ripen when it gets warm in May, and continue to ripen until September. Most blueberries you see outside of the summer months in the grocery store were picked in summer, and held in temperature controlled storage. So you might as well buy ‘em in the summer while they’re picked fresh!
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
SHOULD YOU FREEZE BLUEBERRIES? Yes! All berries are great frozen. Whip them out when you need them for smoothies, pies, and more. Learn how to freeze blueberries.
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CHERRIES
WHEN TO BUY: The growing season for cherries is short - get ‘em while it’s hot outside! Cherries are in season in the US from June to August.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
SHOULD YOU FREEZE CHERRIES? Yes! It’s recommended to pit cherries before freezing them. Learn how to freeze cherries.
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CORN
WHEN TO BUY: Corn is in season in late summer and into the fall - from early August to October.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
- Corn Caprese Panzanella Salad (pictured)
- Corn on the Cob with Lemon Paprika Butter
- Simple Summer Corn Chowder
SHOULD YOU FREEZE CORN: You can definitely freeze corn, but it’s so readily available pre-frozen, you’re better off just buying frozen corn in the package. If you’ve overbought, learn how to freeze corn.
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CUCUMBER
WHEN TO BUY: Cucumbers are in season from May through August.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
- Cucumber Basil Mocktail (pictured)
- Sweet Marinated Cucumber Salad
- Stuffed Cucumbers with Feta Cheese and Proscuitto
SHOULD YOU FREEZE CUCUMBER? No. Cucumber doesn’t freeze well. Got an abundance? Pickle them instead!
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EGGPLANT
WHEN TO BUY: Eggplants are in season in July through October.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
SHOULD YOU FREEZE EGGPLANT: You can, but eggplants should be blanched before freezing. Learn how to freeze eggplant.
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FIGS
WHEN TO BUY: Figs have two seasons - a quick, short season in early summer, and a second, longer season at the end of summer through fall.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
- Fig and Blue Cheese Tartines Recipe (pictured)
- Fig-Pesto Pizza with Balsamic Glaze
- Fig and Almond Filled Proscuitto Cups
SHOULD YOU FREEZE FIGS: It’s not ideal to freeze figs: they’ll get mushy. However, you can if you must!
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GREEN BEANS
WHEN TO BUY: Peak green bean season is between May and October. Green beans are out of this world in the summer - we don’t even bother to eat them fresh once the warm weather cools off.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
- Pickled Dilly Green Beans Recipe (pictured, via Apron Strings)
- "Eat Your Veggies" Green Bean Salad
- Sesame Garlic Ginger Green Beans
SHOULD YOU FREEZE GREEN BEANS? Most will recommend blanching beans before freezing, but I’ve frozen them without blanching (like Jami from An Oregon Cottage has) and thought they were fine without blanching.
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PEACHES
WHEN TO BUY: Peaches start to come in season in June, and stay in season through September.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
SHOULD YOU FREEZE PEACHES: Yes! Peaches freeze really well and can be eaten as is thawed, or thrown into your favorite dessert recipe. Learn how to freeze peaches.
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STRAWBERRIES
WHEN TO BUY: Strawberries are at peak season in June through mid August.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
- Strawberry Brie Crostinis (pictured)
- Marscapone Pomegranate Strawberries
- Strawberry Orange Popsicles
SHOULD YOU FREEZE STRAWBERRIES: Yes! They’re easy to prep for freezing (just cut the hulls off) and are perfect for morning smoothies.
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SUMMER SQUASH
WHEN TO BUY: Summer squash appears from June until October.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
- Pasta with Grilled Foil Packet Veggie Sauce (pictured)
- Lemon Summer Squash Bread
- Roasted Parmesan Summer Squash
SHOULD YOU FREEZE SUMMER SQUASH? Sure! Freeze now to bake later. Learn how to freeze summer squash.
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TOMATOES
WHEN TO BUY: Tomatoes are a true warm weather fruit grown when it’s warmest around the country. The best time to buy and eat local tomatoes is when it’s hottest out.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
- Tomato Basil Galette with Goat Cheese (pictured)
- Rosemary Tomato Egg White Frittata
- Pan Roasted Tomato and Mozzarella Spaghetti with Basil Breadcrumb Gremolata
SHOULD YOU FREEZE TOMATOES? You can freeze tomatoes, but if you can’t eat them fresh, they’re better in canned form.
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WATERMELON
WHEN TO BUY: Watermelon is in season in late summer.
FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES:
- Watermelon Granita with Coconut Whipped Cream (pictured, via How Sweet It Is)
- Minty Melon Kebabs
- Watermelon Salsa
SHOULD YOU FREEZE WATERMELON? Nope. Eat it fresh, or juice it if you have too much!
