A Tribute to Late Summer Produce
September 23, 2019
Summer has always had the best reputation when it comes to produce; it seems like every fruit or veggie you find at the market tastes its best sometime from June to August—even the veggies you know are truly ‘winter vegetables.’ But there are some that are standouts to me, the ones for which I countdown all year long, eagerly awaiting their arrival again the following summer.
1. Tomatoes: But not just any tomatoes. Though they’re often pricier, there is nothing better than a ripe heirloom tomato from the farmer’s market. From green to yellow to purple to striped, there seems to be no limit to the colors and patterns they flaunt. Their beauty is in their irregularity, which extends from the colors to the shapes of the fruits themselves. Perfectly juicy and sweet on their own, they need no more than a simple dash of salt and pepper and drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil (and maybe some fresh mozzarella or burrata if you’re feeling fancy).
2. Figs: One of the most elegant and underrated of fruits in my opinion, figs are so much more than a cheese plate decoration (though they’re an excellent pairing). They are delicate in both flavor and feel, and they are worth treating carefully if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on them. They are just barely sweet and fragrant, but not overly so—perfect for those who don’t have much of a sweet tooth. And, like most fruits, there are a variety of types, each with their own unique colors and flavors. The one thing they have in common? They’re all delicious.
3. Cotton Candy Grapes: The unicorn of the group, cotton candy grapes are the most difficult to find, in my experience, and are worth every penny if and when you’re fortunate enough to stumble across them in a grocery store (when I find them, I buy 3 bags at a minimum because I don’t know the next time they’ll be in stock!). Your typical grapes are already relatively sweet, but cotton candy grapes take it to a whole new level. Some may argue they’re too sweet, but, compared to actual cotton candy, I would argue otherwise. Kids will love them, adults will love them—it’s 2019 fruit breeding at its finest.