As summer winds down, it’s natural to begin savoring the things that are unique to the season. Beach days, day hikes, backyard fire pit parties and enjoying foods fresh from the garden.
August is one of the most bountiful months for summer harvest. Enjoy your last moments of summer with these recipes that include some of the season’s finest.
Mango and Avocado Salsa:
4 large tomatoes
1 mango
1 avocado
1 jalapeno (de-seeded)
Juice from 1 lime
¼ cup red onion
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil
1 handful fresh cilantro
Put all ingredients into a food processor (unless you prefer mincing and chopping by hand) and pulse. Chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Pair with organic eggs for breakfast, dress a salad with it or use as a dip with veggies or quinoa chips.
Cucumber and Radish Salad:
¾ cup sliced almonds
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 pinch sea salt
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
4 English cucumbers chopped
1 bunch radishes, trimmed, cut into thin wedges
¼ cup flat leaf parsley
Toast almonds in oven or in a pan on the stove. In a bowl, whisk shallots, salt, olive oil and red wine vinegar. Add the cucumbers, radishes and almonds and toss. Serve with parsley on top.
Basil Coconut Sorbet:
1 large egg yolk
3 cups fresh coconut milk
½ cup loosely packed fresh basil
½ cup raw honey
In a saucepan, bring all ingredients to a boil and stir until honey is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate until cool. Then place in a freezable, airtight container and place in freezer. Serve with toasted almonds.
More August Garden Favorites:
Apricots
Avocados
Basil
Bell Peppers
Beets
Blackberries
Blueberries
Boysenberries
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Chard
Cherries
Chiles
Cilantro
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Fennel
Figs
Garlic
Grapes
Green beans
Green onions
Kiwi
Lemongrass
Limes
Mangoes
Melons
Nectarines
Okra
Onions
Peaches
Peas
Plums
Potatoes
Radishes
Raspberries
Rosemary
Scallions
Shallots
Strawberries
Summer squash
Tomatillos
Tomatoes
Watermelons
Zucchini