Weekly Spotlight: Labor Day Meals, Sides, and Treats that Use End-of-Summer Produce!

Labor Day is the last holiday before summer ends and it’s a great opportunity to get together with some friends and enjoy some of summer’s last produce! Cooking for Labor Day might also seem a bit overwhelming, and that’s where this guide comes into play. Here, we’ve included awesome Labor Day meals, including sides, desserts, and drinks that use summer produce. That way you’re eating the best, most ripe foods while enjoying time with family and friends.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about Labor Day plans, see if there’s a way to simplify your plans or ask people around you for extra help. Sometimes it’s helpful if someone brings extra utensils and cups or a small dessert everyone can share. Remember, you can still have a wonderful time together with a smaller, simpler meal if that works best!

If you’re looking for more inspiration about eating end-of-summer produce like tomatoes, corn, and watermelon, check out Weekly Spotlight: Delicious Ways to Enjoy End-of-Summer Produce! And if you’re looking for more tips about grilling and how to have a successful plant-based cookout, check out Weekly Spotlight: Grilling Tips for a Successful Plant-Based Cookout!

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 20,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy! And don’t forget to check out our Weekly Meal Plan Archives! 

This week, we’re bringing delicious, fully vegan, and plant-based ways to enjoy Labor Day meals with end-of-summer produce!

Main Dishes

Source: One-Sheet Bbq Mushroom Jack ‘n Peaches Sandwiches

These mains are great to make if you’re looking to use seasonal produce in your Labor Day meals! With the addition of peaches into these mains, the dish has an excellent sweet flavor that balances beautifully with with savory aspects of the dish. For instance, these One-Sheet Bbq Mushroom Jack ‘n Peaches Sandwiches by Epic Vegan Quick and Easy by Dustin Harder are perfect to serve with some potato or pasta salad!

• One-Sheet Bbq Mushroom Jack ‘n Peaches Sandwiches by Epic Vegan Quick and Easy by Dustin Harder
• Zucchini and Horseradish Macadamia Cheese Rolls by Solla Eiriksdottir
• Peach and Pesto Pizza With Balsamic Glaze by Gabrielle St. Claire
• Miso Tahini Glazed Zucchini by Carol Clayton
• Eggplant Hummus Wraps With Smoky Tomato Confit by Viktoria Radichkova
• Stuffed Bell Peppers with Rice by Louise and Nico

Skewers

Source: Mediterranean Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri

These skewers are a great idea if you’re looking for something easy to bring to a picnic or cookout! You can cook the skewers when you arrive, and they’re easy to eat while hanging out outside. These are excellent hands-free options if you’re hanging around a table.

• Grilled Fruit Kebabs by The Natural Epicurean
• BBQ Skewers With Aioli by Kirsten Kaminski
• BBQ Tofu Skewers by Robin Browne
• Mediterranean Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri by Bailey Ruskus
• Chick’n Satay Skewers by Aaron Calder
• Tofu Satay Skewers by Kirsten Kaminski

Salads and Sides

Source: Fresh Summer Peach and Fennel Salad

Another excellent way to incorporate end-of-summer produce is to make delicious salads and sides. These dishes use produce like corn, eggplant, and peaches to create wonderful side dishes. And if you’re looking for more ideas, you can also make pasta salad or potato salad!

• Fresh Summer Peach and Fennel Salad by Sarah Gory
• Grilled Eggplant Salad With Lentils and Sesame Yogurt by Judy Moosmueller
• Spicy Balsamic Baked Eggplant Chips by Lenia & Dimitra
• Black Bean and Corn Salad by Hannah Sunderani
• Easy Corn Salad With Sriracha and Lime by Adam Merrin and Ryan Alvarez
• Roasted Corn and Potato Salad by Angelina Papanikolaou
• Summer’s End Black Bean and Corn Macaroni Salad by  Tara Binder
• Bohemian Summer Salad with Grilled Corn by Alenoosh Matakupan
• BBQ Peaches With Balsamic Reduction by Rebecca Coleman
• Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad With Grilled Croutons by Simple Green Suppers

Refreshing Sweets

Source: Peach and Chamomile Ice Pops

These sweets are delicious to whip up for Labor Day! Not only are they cool and refreshing, but they make an excellent hand-friendly sweet to enjoy. This means that you can eat it while chatting with friends and family.

• Peach and Chamomile Ice Pops by Azucena Noriega
• Watercolor Fruity Popsicles by Annie McGee
• Mango Popsicles by Namrata Edward Kshitij
• Creamy Coconut Popsicles by Barbara Zackey
• Watermelon Kiwi Popsicles by Lena Ropp

Drinks

Source: Peach Melba Sangria

Don’t forget the drinks! These drinks are made with watermelons and peaches and are perfect to serve as a refreshing treat on your Labor Day weekend! You can do cocktails or mocktails with these, and don’t forget the ice!

• Peach and Love by Adam Merrin and Ryan Alvarez
• Watermelon Cherry Cooler by Gunjan Dudani
• Peach and Lemongrass Shrub by Courtney West
• Peach Melba Sangria by Lisa Lotts
• Watermelon Mint Drink by Wendy Irene
• Watermelon Summer Smoothie by Julie Zimmer
• Pina Colada Mocktail by Carol Clayton

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