What’s In Season In August?

It's almost unfair to offer a produce guide for August; it seems like everything's in season right now, don’t you agree?

But there are some that I want to highlight because that’s their prime time 🙂

1- Plum:
Plums contain many vitamins and minerals, in addition to fiber and antioxidants that may help reduce your risk of several chronic diseases.You can consume plums fresh or dried. Dried plums, or prunes, are known for improving several health conditions, including constipation and osteoporosis.
Plums are rich in antioxidants, which are helpful for reducing inflammation and protecting your cells from damage by free radicals, they may also help reduce your blood sugar levels.

2- Peach:
Consumption of fruits like peaches that are rich in vitamin A, are known to offer protection from lung and oral cancers. They contain many vital minerals such as potassium, fluoride and iron. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure. 

Peaches thought to have originated in China more than 8,000 years ago, they’re related to plums, apricots, cherries, and almonds and considered drupes or stone fruit because their flesh surrounds a shell that houses an edible seed.
They can be eaten raw, baked, grilled, broiled, or sautéed and are easily incorporated into warm or cold dishes alike.

3- Tomato:
Tomato is a fruit from the nightshade family native to South America.Despite botanically being a fruit, it’s generally eaten and prepared like a vegetable.They’re a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
Usually red when mature, tomatoes can also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green, and purple. What’s more, many subspecies of tomatoes exist with different shapes and flavors.
Tomatoes are juicy and sweet, full of antioxidants, and may help fight several diseases. They’re especially high in lycopene, a plant compound linked to improved heart health, cancer prevention, and protection against sunburns. Consumption of tomatoes and tomato-based products has been linked to improved skin health and a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.

4- Okra:
Okra is a flowering plant known for its edible seed pods. It’s cultivated in warm and tropical climates, such as Africa and South Asia. Biologically classified as a fruit, okra is generally utilized like a vegetable in cooking.
Okra is packed with antioxidants that can benefit you immensely.The main antioxidants in okra are polyphenols, including flavonoids and isoquercetin, as well as vitamins A and C.
Okra also contains a thick gel-like substance called mucilage, which can bind to cholesterol during digestion, causing it to be excreted with stools rather than absorbed into your body.
Usually, okra is used in soups and stews like gumbo. It contains mucilage, a thick substance that becomes gummy when heated. To avoid slimy okra, follow these simple cooking techniques:

• Cook okra at high heat.

• Avoid crowding your pan or skillet, as this will reduce
  the heat and cause sliminess.

• Cooking it in an acid-like tomato sauce reduces the
  gumminess.

• Simply slice and roast okra in your oven.

• Grill it until it’s slightly charred.

5- Eggplant:
Eggplants, also known as Aubergines, belong to the nightshade family of plants and are used in many different dishes around the world. Although often considered a vegetable, they’re technically a fruit, as they grow from a flowering plant and contain seeds.

Eggplants are rich in fiber and antioxidants. A serving of eggplant can provide at least 5% of your daily requirement of fiber, copper, manganese, B-6, and thiamine. It also contains other vitamins and minerals. In addition, eggplants are a source of phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants.
Eggplant is incredibly versatile and can be easily incorporated into your diet.It can be baked, roasted, grilled or sautéed and enjoyed with a drizzle of olive oil and a quick dash of seasoning or a creamy tahini sauce.

6- Basil:
Basil is a flavorful, leafy green herb that originated in Asia and Africa. It’s a member of the mint family, and many different varieties exist.
Basil is not only a popular folk remedy for ailments like nausea and bug bites but also widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine and other holistic medicine systems.
Sweet basil is most widespread, but you may find other varieties at farmers markets or ethnic markets, such as Asian food stores. Alternately, try growing your own.
Basil gives zest to tomato dishes, salads, zucchini, eggplant, soups, sauces and more. Basil complements other herbs and spices such as garlic, marjoram, mustard, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, rosemary and sage.

Sweet Basil is known for its ability to reduce memory loss associated with stress and aging, reduce high blood pressure and improve fasting blood sugar.
So make sure you get to your nearest farmers market this week and grab yourself some fresh Basil, plums,Okras and…

Much love,
Nousha