Ahhh, the slightly salty breeze, sandy toes, and warmer and longer sunny days, this is summer. While I'm not the hugest fan of summer (I don't do hot weather, I'm not a fan), I can easily say that cooking with summer produce is my go to time and time again. It was a necessity to make this roundup of my favorite summer produce recipes to remake all season (and post-summer) long.
Tomatoes? YES PLEASE. Zucchini? I mean duh. Basil? Say LESS. There are so many different ways to incorporate this summer produce into weeknight cooking from toasted caprese sandwiches to cheesy pesto tortellini. I've rounded up 10 of my absolutely favorite, elite recipes that focus on the summer veggie hits.
Heirloom Tomato Mozzarella Ciabatta
This toasted sandwich highlights the delicious flavors of a classic Caprese sandwich, but toasted in a cast iron pan and with a generous schmear of a homemade pesto aioli. You will not go wrong making this.
Corn and Zucchini Fritters
Who doesn't love a corn fritter? These corn and zucchini fritters are crispy, crunchy, salty, with just the perfect amount of chew, paired with a lime yogurt dip, it's an essential summertime recipe to be repeated.
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad
Five ingredients, super flavorful, and insanely easy to throw together for a family gathering a the house, or to take to a friends barbecue in the backyard. No matter how you serve it, it's going to bring big summertime vibes: fresh, simple, satisfying.
Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar snap peas are the underdog vegetable of summer. They're sweet, crunchy, and great when paired with a little olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. The pods get extra tender and flavorful when cooked, and pair well with any protein or other sides served at the table.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Easily one of the best, most visited summer produce recipes used from the website and for good reason. Thick cut zucchini fries dipped in egg, breadcrumb, and air fried then paired with a horseradish dip, I mean how could you NOT want to eat the entire plate?
Strawberry, Tomato, and Basil Caprese Salad
A trifecta of incredible summertime flavors: strawberries, tomatoes, and basil. What could be bad about that? It's a great refreshing salad to pair with grilled shrimp, a caesar salad wrap, or served as is for a crowd.
Pesto Orzo with Chicken
In my not so biased opinion, pesto makes the world a better place. It's one of my favorite Italian sauces to use in just about everything whether it's a sandwich or paired with pan-seared chicken and orzo. Easy to make, easier to devour.
Linguine Aglio e Olio
My favorite summertime pasta recipe aside from my fresh summer sauce. This recipe ties in burst cherry tomatoes and lightly sautéed zucchini in garlic and oil, and when paired with linguine pasta, you're easily transported to a cliffside restaurant in Italy.
Pesto Chicken Sausage Flatbread
Slightly unconventional for summer to use the oven to bake a flatbread, but here me out: basil pesto, chicken sausage, mozzarella cheese, fresh parm, and torn basil on a flatbread. I'm not hating this. It's great as a midday snack, or as a little appetizer pre-dinner, post-beach.
Savory Heirloom Tomato Pesto Galette
A little bit sweet, buttery, and a whole lot of delicious savory flavor from this tomato pesto galette. Flaky galette dough baked with thinly sliced tomatoes, fresh basil pesto, and a pinch of parmesan cheese. Mangia!
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