summer produce guide: what to eat right now (beginning of july)

A weekly summer produce guide to what’s in season right now based on the contents of our CSA share, with CSA and farmer’s market recipes and inspiration. This week: blueberries, blackberries, basil, jalapeños, and chioggia beets. 

I’m currently running about a week behind on everything. Editors aren’t happy, the children aren’t happy, and I’m definitely not happy. But you didn’t come here to hear about my problems. You’ve got illegal fireworks to buy, beers to put on ice, and a stars and stripes salads to make. So let’s get into some great local produce and then peace out for a much-needed weekend of relaxing, grilling, drinking, and sitting in lawn chairs.

We went out to the farm to pick up our CSA share this week, and I was actually kind of relieved to see relatively slim pickings. Brian and I selected basics, like chard, kale, cabbage, onions, and beets. Then, we all headed for the fields to pick green and purple snap beans, jalapeños, and herbs. I picked basil, parsley, and a new-to-me variety called lime basil. If you can find some, please do. It has an intoxicating fragrance and really nice citrus-charged flavor.

We also picked up a bit of fruit over the weekend. Peaches, blueberries, and blackberries are leading the pack. Berries are great fresh, of course, but it’s also a good time to start planning for the future, because berries freeze really well. To quickly preserve yours, rinse and blot the berries dry, then spread out on a rimmed tray lined with wax paper and feeze solid. This allows you to freeze your berries without having them clump together. Once they’re frozen, dump them in a zip-top bag. Label the bag, and shove it in the way back of the freezer. Come November you will be very happy.

Finally, it’s worth noting that the tomatoes are almost here. We’ve had a few handfuls from the garden, but I’m waiting ’til at least next week to sound the alarm.

Cheers to a great weekend and a happy (and safe) Fourth of July!

Blackberries
Blackberry and Blueberry Crisp with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream // Brooklyn Supper
Blackberry Lime Cream Cheese Tart // Brooklyn Supper
Blackberry Lime Cocktails // Brooklyn Supper
Simplest Blackberry Tart // Brooklyn Supper

Blueberries

Blueberry Swirl Sour Cream Ice Cream // Brooklyn Supper
Mixed Berry Coconut Cream Parfaits // Brooklyn Supper
Toasted Pecan and Blueberry Couscous Salad // Joy the Baker
Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins // Pinch of Yum

Basil
Basil and Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream // Brooklyn Supper
Grilled Cheese with Peach and Basil Bruschetta // Brooklyn Supper
Tomato, Onion, and Roasted Lemon Salad with Basil // The View From Great Island
Basil Gimlet // Michael Ruhlman

Jalapeños
(Best-Ever) Jalapeño Pimento Cheese // Brooklyn Supper
Homemade Bloody Marys // Brooklyn Supper
Cornmeal-Crusted Fish Tacos // Brooklyn Supper
Pickled Jalapeños // Food in Jars

Chioggia Beets
Roasted Red and Chioggia Beets with Herbed Tzatziki // Brooklyn Supper
Quick-Pickled Beets // Brooklyn Supper
Raw Chioggia Beet and Apple Salad // The Clever Carrot
Chioggia Beet and Goat Cheese Tartlets // Spoonful Blog