August Harvest: Our Top 6 Picks for Late Summer Produce You Can’t Miss!

Can you believe it’s August already? Summertime is quickly coming to an end, which means it’s time to change up your grocery store shopping list and adapt to the changing climate with new, seasonal produce. If you’ve enjoyed swimming in the bounty of fresh, jewel-like berries and sweet corn, don’t worry — the produce that hits its prime at the end of summer is just as sensational. Check out some of our favorite ways to use August’s best fruits and veggies below:

Avocados

Avocados are in season in Mexico year round, so you can continue enjoying this creamy, bright fruit for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’re particularly loving the flavors of this gluten-free Serrano Pepper Avocado Toast by Rene Barker.

Beets

Beets are anti-inflammatory, high in cancer-protective antioxidants, and one of the most richly colored foods out there. These gluten-free, raw Orange Beet Tartlets With Almond Fig Crust by show off their deep scarlet hue and make a satisfying late summertime snack.

Blackberries

These gorgeous berries are bursting with flavor in August and can be enjoyed on their own or incorporated into a variety of both savory and sweet desserts. We particularly enjoy these gluten-free Blackberry Chia Jam Crumble Bars by Talida Voinea because they’re free from refined sugar and great for snacking on the go.

Eggplant

On its own, eggplant can be a time-consuming ingredient to prepare, but when you pair it with lemon, basil, and other bright, herby accents, it becomes something magical. This Grilled Eggplant With Lemon Basil Drizzle by Taryn Fitz-Gerald will convince you of in-season eggplants’ massive appeal.

Mango

This Raw Coconut Mango Tart by Alena Grahn features a crunchy walnut crust, creamy coconut filling, and juicy mango slices on top — the perfect way to enjoy this bright and sweet late summer fruit before it departs from farmers market stalls and grocery store shelves.

Plums

These stone fruits earn their spot on our list because they’re filled with dietary fiber, are hydrating, contain 113 mg of potassium, and are refreshing and sweet to consume. In this gluten-free Sugar-Free Cinnamon Cardamom Plum Jam recipe by Lilia Jankowska, fresh plums are cooked with cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon bark to create an aromatic, richly colored purple plum jam. No food coloring needed — the jam transforms into a rich, deep purple color as it cooks.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet is known to Support various health benefits, including reducing chronic inflammation, improving heart health, enhancing mental well-being, achieving fitness goals, meeting nutritional needs, managing allergies, and promoting gut health, among others. Dairy consumption has also been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer,  prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend grabbing our favorite plant-based cookbooks and downloading the Food Monster App — with over 20,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep
• Plant-Based Cookbooks 

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