20 fruits and vegetables that are most delicious in the summer

There’s nothing better than a tomato at the end of August. Yes, you can get tomatoes at the store throughout the whole year, but a fresh garden tomato is best at the end of summer. Get some from a stand, or ask a neighbor with a garden to lend you a few. 

Peaches are another produce item that can be eaten year-round but are objectively better when they’re in season. They’re softer, juicier, and sweeter. Everything about them is far superior when eaten during the summer. 

If you’ve had a blueberry in the summer, you know what a good blueberry tastes like. The biggest and sweetest blueberries are produced when they’re in their prime growing season, which is summer. 

If you’ve ever driven through the Midwest in the summer, you know it’s primetime for corn. This yellow delicacy can be grilled, boiled, sauteed, or popped. Whatever you do with it, it will be much tastier in the summer. 

Watermelon is a classic summertime fruit for a reason. It hits its peak in the warmer months; let’s face it, it’s way easier to eat outside. Watermelon isn’t just a fruit for kids, either. Watermelon can be included in many sophisticated dishes. 

Zucchini is a fabulous summer squash. If you’re looking for a hearty vegetable without being too heavy, zucchini is the one. It’s versatile in how it can be seasoned and prepared, making it great all season long. 

Tomatillos tend to be forgotten, but they deserve some recognition in the summer, their prime growing season. These little guys are delicious in salsas and dips, adding tons of flavor to grilled dishes. 

Plums tend to be forgotten, but there is so much about them to love. They’re sweet, grow well in the wild, and are a great source of nutrients that keep your bones healthy. 

Rhubarb is that vegetable, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. When prepared right, rhubarb has so much to offer. It’s got loads of natural flavor and is a great complement to other produce. 

If you start creeping around your neighbor’s garden, you might find some bell peppers growing. Bell peppers are in season in the summer, making them perfect for all the salsas you can make with your in-season tomatoes. 

Bananas are sold everywhere throughout the year, and their quality doesn’t really decline. But if you have a banana tree or are interested in planting one, summer is going to be the prime season for harvesting. 

Cherries give off summer vibes. It could be their aesthetic, but it’s likely just the fact that they’re in season in the summer. If you’ve got a cherry tree at home, summer is the season to pick the fruit. 

All the fruits and vegetables that make the best dips are in season in the summer, including avocados. Whether you love a good fruit dip, a zesty salsa, or a big bowl of guacamole, it’s going to taste the best if you make it when it’s warm. 

Summer is the season for lemonade, and it’ll taste even better if you use your freshly picked lemons. Even if you’re buying from the store, you’ll notice the citrus fruit tastes better in warmer months. 

Apples are another fruit associated with summer, and like most things, it’s not by accident. Apples are in season in summer. You can use your fresh apples for unlimited desserts, snacks, and even entrees. They’re a classic fruit for a reason. 

Eggplant isn’t technically a squash, but it behaves sort of like one, and you can use it in the summer like you would a squash. You can grill or saute eggplant, turn it into noodles, roast it, and make it into a summer soup - you’ve got plenty of options. 

If you love apricots, now is the time to eat them. They don’t always get the recognition they deserve, but they’re great for summertime desserts and make a lovely jam. If you haven’t gotten into apricots yet, let this summer be the season that you do. 

Is there any fruit sweeter than a strawberry in the summer? These little fruits are absolutely stunning in the warmer months. They taste good from the store, and they taste better when homegrown. They’re good in desserts and good on their own. Is there anything bad that can be said about strawberries in the summertime?

Aside from baked beans, beans as a whole don’t get much fanfare in the summer. If you want to change that, start with lima beans. These are in season in the summer, and they’re a perfect substantive produce to have when it’s warmer. 

Some might say that blackberries aren’t even worth eating unless it’s summertime. That doesn’t mean blackberries taste bad the rest of the year; they’re just that delicious in the summer. Blackberries are an excellent summer fruit, whether alone or in a warm-weather dessert.