12 Summer Vegetables to Grow, Cook, and Eat This Year
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Summertime is the perfect opportunity to get creative with your family dinners. Take a trip to the farmers' market and browse through the colorful baskets of all the different summer vegetables—you're sure to find inspiration just by shopping. Heck, it might even inspire you to grow your own summer produce in your backyard vegetable garden. But if you're looking for a head start on what exactly is in season, just check out our list of summer vegetables that are perfect for growing, cooking, and eating.
Ahead, you'll find ideas for veggies that start to pop up from June through August. Not only are these the best vegetables to grow in your garden, but they're also just plain delicious to eat: corn on the cob, zucchini, and all different types of tomatoes. Some can be grilled or turned into healthy dinner recipes while others are perfect for slicing and dicing, and adding to a summer salad. Learn about new ways to cook eggplant or the reason why Ree Drummond loves okra. So many of them pair beautifully with sweet summer fruits, too!
If you do decide to grow your own summer veggies, just be sure to give them at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. And plant flowers near your vegetables to attract pollinators that help your vegetables grow. Then, put them to good use in summer vegetable recipes.
Bookmark these recipes that use summer vegetables:
Zucchini
Zucchini might just be one of the most versatile veggies around. It's a healthy, low-carb alternative to pasta when turned into zoodles and a simple summer side dish when sliced and grilled. Plus, you can stuff zucchini with ground beef or sausage for a heartier meal. Along with the green zucchini you know and love, you can also look for yellow squash—both of which are part of the summer squash family.
Bell Peppers
Peppers love the hot weather so they're perfect for growing in your garden when the temperatures start to soar! The best part is that bell peppers come in different varieties and colors, including red, green, yellow, and orange. It's like a rainbow for your garden! Once fully grown, they can be used for Ree's stuffed peppers or grilled sausage and peppers. Of course, you can also just cut them into strips for a colorful and crisp crudités.
Cucumbers
Cool down from the summer heat with some refreshing cucumbers! The kinds you can grow in your garden go way beyond the typical grocery store finds. Whether it's English cucumbers, kirby cucumbers, or lemon cucumbers, there are so many ways to enjoy this crunchy veggie. Slice them up for a cucumber salad or use them to make Ree's refreshing twist on Marg-a-Ree-tas! And of course, use extra cucumbers at the end of the summer to make homemade pickles.
Tomatoes
Though technically a fruit, juicy summer tomatoes can be used in so many recipes. Choose from tiny cherry tomatoes, big heirlooms, or even green tomatoes for a taste of summertime. The different shapes, sizes, and colors make tomatoes so much fun to grow in your garden. You can cook them down into fresh tomato sauce, cut them up for a Caprese salad, or use thick slices as a topping for your burgers.
Basil
Basil and other fresh herbs make a perfect addition to any garden big or small. In fact, all you need is a small planter pot to grow basil at home. Ree herself does it: "I grow a ton of basil in the summer—luckily the plants can handle the crazy Oklahoma weather," she says. It also means you can make fresh herby pesto any time you want.
Corn
Summer and corn go hand-in-hand! The sweet kernels are an instant sign that summer is in full bloom. Whether you grill corn on the cob or slice off the kernels for a summer corn salad, you'll want to know how to pick the best corn. It's easy—just look for husks that are bright green with tassels that are golden and never dry. You'll be in corn heaven in no time.
Eggplant
Though you can find eggplant in the supermarket any time of year, summer is when you'll see all sorts of varieties of eggplant at the farmers' market. There are tiny fairy tale eggplants, classic deep purple globe eggplants, beautiful striped graffiti eggplant, and so many more. You can roast 'em or grill 'em for that smoky flavor or use them in hearty dishes like eggplant parmesan.
Okra
This Southern favorite is also one that Ree likes to grow in her own vegetable garden. She'll "pick ’em off one by one, sprinkle the outside with salt, and crunch! Eat 'em in one bite," she says. But you can also grill them, fry them, or pickle them, too. Though some people think that okra can be slimy, you just need to know the right way to cook them and there's nothing to fear.
Green Beans
Whether you call them green beans or string beans, this summer vegetable is always a hit. In fact, you can eat them for a crunchy bite straight off the vine. Or take Ree's advice: "I love preparing the crisp little babies in a skillet," she says. Add some garlic and you'll have a side dish that's perfect for any occasion.
Beets
From mid summer through late fall, you'll find colorful beets in abundance. Many people would be surprised to know that the entire beet plant is edible, including the roots and the leaves! Roast the roots for a tasty beet and goat cheese salad, then sauté the greens in the same way you might cook spinach or chard. Other fun ways to use beets is in a pink beet hummus or pickled beets for an earthy and slightly sweet flavor.
Carrots
Sure, you can find carrots all year-round, but during the late spring and early summer months, you'll find carrots in all different colors and sizes. The naturally sweet flavor becomes even more prominent when roasted, but you can also cook carrots on the grill! Plus, carrots are great for vision health as they're a good source of vitamin A.
Kale
Late summer is the perfect time to harvest kale. The nutritional powerhouse comes in a couple of varieties, including curly kale and Italian (or dinosaur) kale. Aside from simply pan-frying, you can also use kale in pasta recipes, soups, salads, or baked to a crisp in the oven for veggie chips.
You Might Also Like
