A Beginner’s Guide to Buying In Season Produce in Missouri
I don’t know about you all, but I always am so excited about the change of seasons, especially the spring and summer. Not just for the outdoor activities, blooming flowers, sunshine, and warmer days – but also for all of the wonderful tasty fruits and vegetables that come into season! So, what produce IS coming into season this spring and summer in Missouri?
Knowing what will be in season in your region is a wonderful way to Add more variety in your diet. Here’s why:
- Better budgeting: Fruits and vegetables that are in season tend to be cheaper price per pound
- You know what to look for: Knowing what’s in season can help you build a more specific grocery list to reduce time spent grocery shopping and choosing what to buy.
- Exploring variety: You can build new recipes to include fruits and vegetables that are in season
the Missouri Harvest calendar shares what’s in season for the Spring and Summer months:
April: Broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, greens, herbs
May: Asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, greens, herbs, peas, potatoes, rhubarb, strawberries
June: Apricots, beans, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cucumbers, greens, herbs, peaches, potatoes, rhubarb, squash, strawberries
July: Apples, Apricots, beans, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cucumbers, eggplant, herbs, nectarines, peaches, peppers, potatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, squash, strawberries, tomatoes
I recommend trying local grocers, community farmer’s markets, and roadside stands for some of the tastiest fruits and vegetables through the late spring and summer. Produce tends to be the best flavor and quality when it is harvested locally and doesn’t have to travel too far before it is consumed.
My favorite Spring/Summer Missouri produce recipes
Peach & Basil Crostini
I like to plant my basil for this recipe at different times throughout the summer so I have a continuous supply all summer long.
Basil has been the rockstar of my garden for the past few years. It’s easy to grow and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. You can start basil from starter seeds indoors but I find it easier to wait to plant until after the last frost in the spring. I have several raised beds and will plant seeds at different times throughout the summer. You can also buy basil as a starter from your local garden supplier but I prefer to grow it from seeds as it produces more and is more affordable- and pretty easy!
Blueberry Compote Yogurt Parfait
For this Blueberry Compote Yogurt Parfait recipe, I made a blueberry compote. For compote whole pieces of fruit are cooked down in sugar syrup without any additional thickeners (i.e. pectin). Unlike jam, in which the fruit matter is broken up into a more spreadable form, the fruit in compote is left whole. This Food & Wine article does an excellent job breaking down the difference between compote, jam, marmalade, and others.
After making the compote, I layered Greek yogurt on the bottom then compote and granola and drizzled honey on top. Other toppings and mix-ins that you could add would be peaches, mint, and nuts. It’s a simple breakfast to make when short on time or just want to start your day off right!
Chicken Pesto and Sun Dried Tomato Sandwich
For this recipe, I made the pesto from scratch using a mini food processor. Combining basil, walnuts, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, and olive oil together is easier than you might think. This makes me excited for summertime and planting some basil so I can make this more often.
If this recipe makes more pesto than you need one idea is freezing leftovers. Omit the cheese as it doesn’t freeze well.
Put your own twist on it:
- Try adding your favorite herbs like cilantro, mint, or parsley.
- Your favorite spices like paprika or cayenne.
- Add a dash of hot sauce or other ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes or artichokes.
For more recipe ideas to use produce that’s in season in Missouri check out our recipe page!
