Mastering the Summer Harvest: Your Guide to What's in Season in August

August is a month of abundance, especially for those who love fresh berries, juicy tomatoes, and bountiful seafood. As summer makes its final appearance, the local markets burst with flavors, colors, and options. Whether you are looking to fill your kitchen with seasonal produce or searching for the freshest seafood, this guide will help you make the most of August's harvest through smart buying and preserving strategies.

August is the perfect month to visit a Farmer's Market!

Vegetables in Season in August

In August, the vegetable garden is at its peak, offering an array of fresh selections that can elevate any dish. Let's explore some of the key vegetables to keep an eye out for.

Cucumbers

Crisp and refreshing, cucumbers are perfect for salads, sandwiches, or even pickling. Whether you like small Persian or Kirby cucumbers, English cucumbers, or old-fashioned pickling types, you will find cucumbers in abundance in August. When purchasing cucumbers, opt for those that feel firm and are free of blemishes.

Tomatillos

These green, husked fruits bring a unique flavor to salsas and sauces. Look for tomatillos that have bright green skin and feel heavy for their size. Once you have tomatillos, consider roasting up our excellent Salsa Verde!

Summer Squash

Zucchini and yellow squash are plentiful and versatile in August. Fresh summer

squash should have unblemished skin and feel firm to the touch. A great way to use abundant zucchini and summer squash (as well as tomatoes) is to make our Easy Ratatouille!

Tomatoes

What’s summer without tomatoes? Ripe tomatoes are juicy and bursting with flavor, making them perfect for salads and sauces. Look for tomatoes that are rich in color and slightly soft to the touch. If you find great-looking tomatoes that are not quite ripe, put them on a windowsill or in a bowl in a warm place. They will ripen in a few days. Don't put your tomatoes in the refrigerator, as they will not ripen there and won't have the best flavor. If you have an abundance of fresh tomatoes, consider making our Gazpacho!

Basil

This aromatic herb pairs beautifully with many summer dishes. Fresh basil should be vibrant green with no browning on the leaves.

Fresh basil leaves ready for harvest.

Fruits in Season in August

Fruits also flourish in August, with so many delicious choices available to enjoy fresh or preserve for later.

Raspberries and Blackberries

These sweet and tart berries are perfect for snacking or baking. When buying

raspberries, opt for plump berries that are deep in color. When buying blackberries, look for solid fruit that are not soft or mushy.

You might feel that you will not use the larger containers of berries before they spoil, but remember that you can can or freeze these low-priced berries. A classic way to can berries of all types is to make jam. At Inflation Bites, we have not made full sugar jam for years (decades) because the sugar obliterates the subtleties of the fruit flavors. Try our Low-Sugar Blackberry Jam — it is made the French way, with marination instead of lengthy cooking, so chunks of fruit stay whole and intact. A summary of this recipe is published later in this post!

Peaches and Nectarines

Juicy and fragrant, peaches and nectarines are at their best this month. Look for fruits that yield slightly to pressure, indicating ripeness. These peaches made excellent pies and pastries, including classic peach cobbler!

Melons

Melons like cantaloupe and watermelon offer refreshing hydration on hot summer days. When selecting melons, choose ones that feel heavy and have a sweet aroma.

Fresh peaches ready for consuming.

Seafood in Season in August

August is also an excellent month for seafood lovers, as several seasonal catches

come into play. Here's a list of some of the freshest seafood options available.

Mahi Mahi

Known for its firm texture and mild flavor, Mahi Mahi is perfect for grilling and can be seasoned in many ways.

Lobster

A luxurious treat, lobsters are very much in season in August. Fresh lobsters should feel heavy for their size and have a clean, seawater scent.

Alaska Pollack

This white fish is versatile and widely used in various dishes. Look for Alaska Pollack that has a shiny appearance and a mild scent of the ocean. Harvest season for Alaskan Pollack is in the early Spring and early Fall, so August is a great time to buy fresh Alaskan Pollack.

Atlantic Cod

This flaky fish is excellent for frying or baking. Fresh Atlantic Cod will have a bright appearance and a mild, ocean-like scent.

Bluefin and Albacore Tuna

These types of tuna are rich in flavor and can be enjoyed raw in sushi or grilled. Choose tuna that is firm and has a deep red color.

When you find reasonably priced fresh (or sushi quality) tuna, consider making our Poke Bowls!

Preserving the Bounty of August

With so much produce available, preserving your harvest allows you to enjoy these flavors even in the colder months. Here are some simple strategies to help you keep your August bounty alive.

Raspberry and Blackberry Jam

One delightful way to preserve your summer fruits is by making raspberry and blackberry jam.

1. Mix equal parts of fruit and sugar and let them dissolve overnight in the fridge.

2. The next day, cook the mixture on the stove with some lemon juice and fruit pectin, adding water if needed.

   
   

3. Mash the fruit to your desired consistency and pour it into pint jars.

   
   

4. Preserve the jars in a water bath for 10 minutes to ensure they seal properly.

   
   

This jam can be enjoyed on toast or as a topping for desserts. Find the Complete Recipe for French-Style Berry Jam here.

New Mexico Green Chiles

We couldn't finish our August summary of seasonal fruits and vegetables without a significant nod to our friends in New Mexico, who begin harvesting the year's chile crop in August. These legendary chiles may come from the Hatch Valley or elsewhere in NM. If they come from anywhere else, they are not authentic green chiles (sorry, Colorado and California). If green chiles are sold fresh where you are, you can roast and preserve them in the freezer and have delicious chiles all year. For those who love a kick of spice, harvested New Mexico green chiles are perfect for roasting and freezing.

1. When the chiles arrive in August and September, roast them until the skin blisters. Put the chiles in a plastic bag until they cool--the skin will come right off.

   
   

2. Let the chiles rest until cool in the bag, then peel off the skin and conveniently freeze them for year-round use.

   

   Roasted and Peeled Green Chiles Ready For Freezing!

   
   

3. These chiles add a lovely depth of flavor to many dishes.

Conclusion

August’s harvest offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy a rich variety of fruits and vegetables while providing the chance to stock your pantry and freezer with preserved goods. By selecting seasonal produce and seafood, you not only support local agriculture but also delight in the finest flavors summer has to offer. Whether you are creating a farm-fresh dish or preserving foods for later enjoyment, mastering the August harvest will allow you to savor its bounty to the fullest. Remember to embrace the season and make the most of what August has in store for you!