Savoring Summer: 4 Ways to Use Peak-Season Produce Before It’s Gone

Berries, stone fruit, tomatoes, and cucumbers to name a few - these items of produce are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to delicious summer produce. With fall on the horizon, now is the perfect time to maximize your use of these summer favorites and savor their flavor for as long as possible. Here are a few of our favorite tips for extending the life of these summer favorites:

1. The Big Dill

Summer veggies like cucumbers, carrots, and even green beans can stick around long after the season ends with a simple brine and an air-tight jar. Pickling not only locks in flavor but also gives your produce a tangy twist perfect for sandwiches, salads, and snacking. Quick pickles take just minutes to prep, and they’ll keep for weeks in the fridge. They are the perfect addition to fall salads and game-day charcuterie boards. 

2. Jam Session

Berries and stone fruit, such as peaches and apricots, don’t have a super long shelf-life. But when they are at peak ripeness, it is hard to beat that sweet and juicy flavor. Rather than letting those flavors go to waste, turn them into jam and preserves! You can even freeze the fruit first and make  jam a few months later. These spreads are perfect for toast, baking, or gifting during the holidays - it’s like summer in a jar!

3. Summer on Ice

Freezing is your easiest trick to make peak-season produce last. From blueberries to mangoes to tomatoes, just wash, dry, and freeze them in a single layer in an air-tight bag. This keeps them from clumping and makes it easy to grab a handful for smoothies, sorbets, sauces, or baked goods months later.

4. Crisp & Crunchy

Dehydrating fruits like peaches and strawberries turns them into crispy, portable snacks that last for months. You don’t need a high-tech dehydrator - just fire up your oven to a low temperature and cook the sliced fruit low and slow. These chewy, sweet bites are perfect for lunchboxes, trail mixes, or a mid-winter reminder of summer’s sweetness.

By preserving summer’s best flavors now, you’ll have them to savor all year long. Whether it’s a tangy pickle, a jar of homemade jam, a freezer stocked with berries, or a bag of dried fruit, these tricks help you enjoy your favorite seasonal produce long after the last summer farmers’ market closes. Plus, you’ll waste less, save money, and always have a taste of sunshine ready for your fall and winter meals.