Summer Produce Gives Me Anxiety

Summer fills me with anxiety. There is so much to do, so much to enjoy, so much to eat. I completely blew it with strawberry season this year (I only made one batch of ice cream), I have yet to eat a good peach, and I’m currently preoccupied with making sure I make the most of peak-season corn, tomatoes, and zucchini. (I call this “fruit FOMO,” a fear of missing out on summer produce. It also extends to vegetables.)

If you suffer from similar anxieties, I have some good news. I’ve come up with a plan of five recipes to the most of these last few weeks of summer.

Make the most of summer fruit with Chris Kimball’s Fresh Peach and Raspberry Crostata

This rustic free-form tart opts for a minimalist filling to showcase the fresh sweetness of peaches and ripe berries, with a buttery, shatteringly crispy crust that's simply folded over around the sides. Remarkably simple, just sweet enough, with delicate floral flavors and aromas. A dollop of whipped cream or scoop of ice cream on the still-warm tart is the classic, exceptional pairing.

Also try: Fried Halloumi Sandwiches with Peaches, Arugula and Honey

This Tomato, Arugula and Bread Salad with Fresh Corn and Mozzarella is summer in a bowl

“I'd make it for any summer event I was hosting or attending,” wrote one reader of this panzanella-like combo of rustic, toasted bread, juicy tomatoes, and crisp corn kernels. For best flavor and texture, we mix the tomato wedges and onion slices with the vinaigrette and allow them to marinate briefly before tossing in the leafy greens, herb, cheese and toasted bread and corn. Small orbs of fresh mozzarella adds a lovely bit of creaminess.

Also try: Bucatini with Sweet Corn and Scallions

Zucchini and Green Chili Soup is creamy without any cream

Packed with Mexican-inspired flavors, this electric green soup achieves creaminess without any dairy. The soup’s fresh, vegetal flavor relies on cooking the squash until brown and tender, but we do so quickly so that the vegetable doesn’t lose its fresh taste. I love two things in particular about this recipe, beyond the flavor: 1) I’m always squirreling away dairy-free recipes that still taste creamy for vegan friends and 2) the soup tastes more complex than something pulled together in just under 40 minutes.

Also try: Zucchini Carbonara

Austrian Plum Cake respects the fruit

The problem with a lot of summer produce recipes—especially those involving fruit—is that I often would rather just eat the thing out of hand. But this plum cake keeps things respectful with an excessively simple batter and dusting of powdered sugar. There are no heavy spices to distract or detract—it’s more of a platform for the juicy summer fruits.

Also try: Rosé-Soaked Plums with Yogurt and Black Pepper Streusel

If you only make one tomato salad, make it with a Burnt Honey Vinaigrette

I have three tomato plants in my garden. So far, I have eaten the Sungolds with a little salt, sliced the heirlooms for sandwiches, and frozen the plums for eventual sauce. But I need to get serious and make this salad, dressed with a unique sweet-tart vinaigrette. We cook honey until it caramelizes, then offset its bittersweet notes with wine vinegar and olive oil. Pistachios, smashed with a mortar and pestle into coarse pieces, soak up juices and cling to the tomatoes.

Also try: Burmese Tomato Salad with Shallots and Peanuts

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Claire Lower

Claire Lower is the Digital Editor for Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street, with over a decade of experience as a food writer and recipe developer. Claire began writing about food (and drinks) during the blogging boom in the late 2000s, eventually leaving her job as a lab technician to pursue writing full-time. After freelancing for publications such as Serious Eats, Yahoo Food, xoJane and Cherry Bombe Magazine, she eventually landed at Lifehacker, where she served as the Senior Food Editor for nearly eight years. Claire lives in Portland, Oregon with a very friendly dog and very mean cat. When not in the kitchen (or at her laptop), you can find her deadlifting at the gym, fly fishing or trying to master figure drawing at her local art studio.