Each fruit or vegetable has a prime time when it’s at its seasonal best. Some are great for over half of the year; others only hit their peak for a month. Either way it means extra flavour, extra crunch, extra juiciness—all super-fresh and great value. Use our guide to find out what’s in season this month and how to bring out its best.

August's best

BEST FRUIT AND VEG

Raspberries

Red, ripe, juicy and eminently squishable, these furry little numbers may well be the finest tasting of all the berries and are a real summer crowd pleaser.

Tip:

Try lightly crushing some raspberries with a little icing sugar and orange juice, then folding through softly whipped vanilla cream and serving with freshly baked shortbread.

Leftover raspberries

From Lorraine Ottewill

Buy a large bag of cheap raspberries from the markets or use up surplus raspberries.
Freeze individually on a baking tray then put in a freezer bag once frozen.
Eat when desired. They make lovely, refreshing treats for slimmers or diabetics.
Also works well using grapes!

Plums

Green to purple, sweet to tantalisingly tart, the perky plum comes in several guises that taste every bit as good as they look. August is the time to get gorging on fine seasonal plums.

Tip:

Try making a spiced plum compote with five spice, port, vinegar, cinnamon and orange juice and zest. Delicious served with roast pork.

Cos Lettuce

Smooth, firm-textured cos (or romaine if you’re French or American) lettuce makes an excellent salad base, and is essential for a classic Caesar salad.

Tip:

Essential for making the perfect Caesar salad.

Stop veg going mouldy

From Gilda

I wrap lettuce, carrots, courgettes etc in kitchen paper then put them into plastic bags in the salad compartment of the fridge. They keep fresh for ages.
The paper stops the condensation from softening the veg and stops mould.

Much more information about seasonal fruits and vegetables under Eat Seasonably
Many more tips and recipes on Love Food Hate Waste