Summer is the prime season for Ontario produce and when we reach near the end, we get some of the sweetest fruits and veggies that have reached their peak! Farm Boy stores are stocked with juicy peaches, sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, and so much more! Read on to discover more about what’s freshest in our aisles.
Fruits
Cantaloupe
A heat-loving melon that reaches its peak in August, cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamins. Try them in salads, desserts, and beverages!
Nectarines
The fuzz-free cousin of the peach, the smaller, firmer nectarine is delicious on the grill. We recommend serving these fruits with a scoop of Farm Boy™ Vanilla Ice Cream and a drizzle of Farm Boy™ Pure Liquid Honey.
Field and Roma Tomatoes
Named for growing in the field rather than a hothouse, field tomatoes come in an array of delicious varieties. In the mood for Roma tomatoes? They make for great sauces!
Recipe: Tomato, Avocado, Burrata Salad
Watermelon
There’s something so classic about enjoying a ripe slice of watermelon on a hot summer day. Enjoy this seasonal classic on its own or try something a little different with the two recipes we have below!
Recipe: Sparkling Watermelon Cooler
Recipe: Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad
Blueberries
These tiny, juicy berries are delicious when summer heats up. Bursting with flavour, our stores are stocked with wild blueberries and blueberries brought over from British Columbia.
Recipe: Savoury Dark Berry Compote
Peaches
August is actually National Peach Month, which makes sense since these multi-hued beauties are at their peak! Sweet and fragrant, peaches are delicious in salads, smoothies, desserts, jams, and so much more!
Blue and Prune Plums
Descended from the European breed of plums, blue plums and prune plums are different from their fleshy, sweet counterparts. These plums have a firmer texture and are actually better suited to being cooked. Try them in jams or sauces!
Concord Grapes
The grape you’re thinking of when you’re imagining anything grape-flavoured! Concord grapes are vibrant in colour and often used for juices. The distinct flavour of this fruit lends itself well to grape jelly, grape juices – even grape candy!
Bartlett and Bosc Pears
Two pears with two pairs of different tastes! The Bartlett pear is the classic pear: sweet, rounded at the bottom, and tender. The Bosc pear is firmer, which makes it the better pear for the recipe below!
Recipe: Honey Ginger Poached Pears
Acorn, Buttercup, Butternut, and Spaghetti Squash
Squash may seem like a fall fruit, but these varieties will actually be in our stores in August! Try incorporating them into salads or as a low-carb substitute for pasta.
Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash & Kale Salad
Vegetables
Corn
Corn, a beloved staple of summer! Our corn is delivered to us from local farmers fresh daily for the best, sweetest taste.
Recipe: Grilled Mexican Style Street Corn
Leeks
Grilled, roasted, or as a topping for salads and sides, summery leeks come into season this month!
Cello Carrots
The kind of carrots you’ll find in plastic bags, with wider tops and tapered bottoms, cello carrots are sweet and can be enjoyed raw, roasted, or pickled.
Green Peppers
Don’t leave peppers by the wayside this summer! Green peppers are in season and are delicious with a little char on them from the grill!
Cello Parsnips
Like the cello carrot, the cello parsnip is similarly shaped, but with a nutty, earthy flavour. They shine as an unexpectedly sophisticated purée!
Cranberry Beans
Also known as the romano bean, these magenta-streaked legumes are a hearty source of vitamins and minerals. Ideal for Italian and Portuguese cuisines, they’re perfect in cold salads, pastas, and soups!
Potatoes
The workhorse of the root vegetable family, our stores get stocked with white, yellow, and red potatoes this month. Fried, mashed, boiled, or sautéed, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your potato craving.
Recipe: Crispy Hasselback Potatoes
Brussel Sprouts
Gone are the days when Brussel sprouts would stink up your kitchen! Instead, try letting these little bundles caramelize over a high heat to cut their bitterness and toss them with some crispy fried bacon.
What summertime fruits and veggies are you most excited for? Discover the freshest produce at a store near you, scope out some deals in our flyer, and share your finds with us on social!
