From crisp corn to juicy peaches and watermelon, our Produce department is brimming with a bounty of colors, flavors and textures. Get cooking with summer's finest fruits and veggies or simply enjoy them raw. Here are a few of our top produce picks and ways to enjoy them.
P.S. We feature weekly sales on your favorite produce, so be sure to check your store before you shop.
Berries
Summer brings a windfall of berries — blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries — just waiting to be served atop yogurt, blended in a smoothie or baked into a summer pie. Berries are best stored unwashed in the refrigerator and eaten within a few days. Wash just before eating for the optimal berry experience.
Cherries
Cherry season is short but oh-so-sweet. When our field inspectors scout out cherries for our stores, they’re looking for fresh green stems and firm, juicy fruit. Add cherries to salads, desserts and salsas — and keep an eye out for unique varieties like Skylar Rae and strawberry cherries.
Summer Squashes
Zucchini and yellow squash are some of the kitchen's most versatile veggies. They can be eaten raw as vegetable noodles or crudités, diced for omelets or simply grilled. Store your squash haul in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer and wash just before using.
Corn
Long hot days and warm summer nights make corn on the cob a must. Corn performs well either boiled or grilled and is generally at its sweetest when eaten as close to harvest as possible. Keep an eye out in your store's Produce department for local farmers' bounties.
Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons
Summer is prime time for melons. Celebrate the season by trying new-to-you varieties like Galia, Hami, Canary or Casaba melons. Enjoy these summer treats on their own or within a refreshing salad.
Stone Fruits
Juicy stone fruits like peaches, plums, apricots and nectarines peak at different times throughout the summer. Firm stone fruits are perfect for grilling, but if you prefer a riper fruit, store it on the counter until there’s a slight give.
Tomatoes
The warmer months bring us the season's best tomatoes. From little cherry tomatoes to large heirlooms, you’ll find a spectrum of colors, shapes and sizes with differing textures, sweetness, juiciness and acidity. Summer's the time to try them all.
Watermelon
With its perfectly sweet juice and satisfying crunch, watermelon is the ultimate summer companion and portable hydration station. Watermelon stars as an afternoon snack or summer salad ingredient. Although it’s best to enjoy ASAP, cut watermelon can be refrigerated for two to three days.
Okra
A summer staple in the South, okra is one versatile veggie. Fried okra and gumbo are the usual go-tos, but okra really shines when it’s pickled, picking up smoky flavor on the grill or halved and roasted into oven fries.
Grapes
Whether it's adding sweetness to a chicken salad or accompanying a picnic lunch, grapes get the job done. Chilled grapes travel well in the cooler, while frozen grapes are nature's little treat (that can also double as "ice cubes" for cool drinks). Seek out firm, fresh grapes with green stems, and wash just before eating.
