What's In Season?

Eating local, seasonal foods can have many benefits:

- Less traveled food, which hasn’t needed to be frozen, often tastes fresher.

- Less transport-related emissions contributing to climate change.

- Supporting local farmers and the local economy.

- If able to access loose foods from a local grocer you can buy only the amount you need, free from packaging and potentially helping the avoidance of food waste (we realise many people don't have local grocers anymore).

We’d like to help out by supplying you with some recipes ideas for summer.

Also, check out supercook.com or the ‘epicurious’ app which allows you to input some ingredients (e.g. what is left in your fridge) before it suggests concoctions.

What foods are in season in June?

Fruits

Apricots, Blueberries, Cherries, Kiwis (actually from China originally but can grow in the UK), Raspberries, Strawberries, Tomatoes.

Vegetables

Artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, broad beans, carrots, courgettes, fennel, new potatoes, pak choi, peas, peppers, rocket, spinach (end of main season), spring onions, turnips, watercress.

Meat & fish

Environmentally, if you eat meat, it’s worth considering purchasing that which has been pasture-fed (https://www.pastureforlife.org/). The vast majority of meat sold is from animals fed a calorific ‘feed’ (cereals, imported soy), which took vast amounts of resources (energy, water and land usage) in order to get cows, for example, to size. Pasture-fed means eating grass and a slower, more natural growth. Lamb’s in season during the summer, as is rabbit, but environmentally white meat e.g. chicken is less intensive agriculturally. On the fish front UK haddock, mackerel, pollock, prawns, salmon, sardines, scallops, tuna and crab are seasonable during the summer but, in some cases, they may not be so ask your fishmonger for info.

Some ideas:

- Zucchini and potato pancakes. (https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/zucchini-and-potato-pancakes/)

- Red pepper and potato soup https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/cousin-tinas-roasted-red-pepper-tomato-soup-326885

- Artichoke & broad bean tart with watercress pesto https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/408620/artichoke-and-broad-bean-tart-with-watercress-pest

- Crab and asparagus omelette https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/crab-asparagus-omelette

- Artichoke and aubergine rice https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/artichoke-aubergine-rice

- Asian tofu with stir-fried noodles, pak choi & sugar snap peas https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/asian-tofu-stir-fried-noodles-pak-choi-sugar-snap-peas

July

Fruits

Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Kiwis, Melon, Peaches, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tomatoes

Vegetables

Artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, courgettes, cucumber, fennel, new potatoes, pak choi, peas, peppers, rocket, spinach (end of main season), spring onions, sweetcorn, turnips, watercress.

Meat & fish

As per June.

Recipe ideas:

- Chargrilled mackerel with sweet and sour beetroot https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chargrilled-mackerel-sweet-sour-beetroot

- Honey-roasted beetroot and carrots https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/honey-roasted-beetroot-carrots

- Creamy courgette lasagne https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4716/creamy-courgette-lasagne

- Ginger sweet tofu with pak choi https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/412629/ginger-sweet-tofu-with-pak-choi

- Pea and spring onion tart https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipe/pea-spring-onion-tart

- Sweetcorn and courgette fritters https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/sweetcorn-courgette-fritters

August

Fruits

Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Kiwis, Melon, Nectarines, Peaches, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tomatoes.

Vegetables

Artichokes, aubergines, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, courgettes, cucumber, fennel, pak choi, peas, peppers, potatoes, rocket, sweetcorn, watercress.

Meat & fish

As per June and July.

Recipe ideas:

- Superhealthy salmon burgers https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7712/superhealthy-salmon-burgers

- One-pan salmon with roast asparagus https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5925/onepan-salmon-with-roast-asparagus

- Spaghetti with sardines https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1163643/spaghetti-with-sardines

September

Fruits

Apples (bramley), apricots, blackberries, grapes, figs, melon, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, tomatoes.

Vegetables

Artichokes, aubergines, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, celery, celeriac, courgettes, cucumber, fennel, kale, leeks, pak choi, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin, rocket, sweetcorn, watercress.

Meat and fish

Into season come duck, goose, lamb, rabbit, venison and all the same sea creatures as the previous months (though, again, do check with the fishmonger).

Recipe ideas:

- Bramley and blackberry pie https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/bramley-blackberry-pie

- Butternut squash and sage risotto https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7767/butternut-squash-and-sage-risotto

- Celery soup https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/celery-soup

- Smoked haddock and leek risotto https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/408651/smoked-haddock-and-leek-risotto

- Leek and potato soup https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1731/darina-allens-winter-leek-and-potato-soup