In Season Now: Taking Advantage Of July Produce

We live in a world where we can eat almost anything we want, whenever we want. Strawberries in December? Done. Avocados on everything all the time? Sure thing.

While this is extremely convenient, it also allows us to stay safe within our cooking and eating comfort zones. There is a big world of produce out there, so why do we eat the same thing all year round?  

A great way to grocery shop is to head to the market without a shopping list and be inspired by what looks the most tantalizing. Maybe risk it all and cook with an ingredient you've never touched before. Your local farmer's market takes out all the guesswork and provides you with in-season produce specific your locale.

Buying local and seasonal products is not only more environmentally friendly it is also more economical for buyer and producer alike! Food doesn't need to travel around the world and its simple economics: when there is an abundance of an item, prices drop. Best of all, when we shop and cook seasonally, ingredients are at their most flavorful.

Visit the Pick Your Own website for specific seasonality charts tailored to your state, but in general here is some of what July has in store for us:

Fruit:

Strawberries

Peaches

Nectarines

Plums

Cherries

Blackberries

Raspberries

Blueberries

Vegetables:

Corn

Tomatoes

Summer Squash

Zucchini

Lima Beans

Cucumbers

Cabbage

Beets

Broccoli

Seafood:

Haddock

Cod

Scallops

Mussels

Lobsters

Gulf Shrimp

Albacore Tuna

Salmon

Pacific Smelt