There are many great things about summer: sun, vacation, and, of course, food—the crisp crunch of corn on the cob, the tangy pop of blueberries, and the refreshing sweetness of watermelon. Fruits and veggies always taste better when they’re in season. The summer brings us a great selection of fruits and vegetables. We’ve listed a few of our favorites and when it’s best to eat them.
Don’t know if produce is ripe? Here’s how you can tell.
The benefits of eating ripe fruits and vegetables go beyond color and taste. Ripe produce has a different chemical makeup than unripe fruits and vegetables. For example, ripe berries contain a higher level of antioxidants than their unripe counterparts. On the other hand, eating unripened fruits and vegetables will not cause long-term damage, though it may result in an upset stomach. So do your body good and eat ripe produce! Here’s how to tell if your summer produce is fresh.
- Peaches. Ripe peaches are tender to the touch and should smell like they taste. If a peach smells overly sweet, it is most likely too ripe.
- Raspberries. Bright, red color and unbroken skin are two keys to picking a perfectly tart raspberry.
- Cucumbers. Look for a cucumber with bright and unbroken skin that is firm to the touch.
- Corn. A fresh ear of corn will have a green husk and silk that clings to the kernels when the husk is pulled back.
- Cantaloupes. A cantaloupe should feel heavier than it looks. You should be able to press your finger in the bottom of it, and there should not be a lip at the stem. If it smells overly sweet, it’s too ripe. You can let a cantaloupe ripen on the counter for a few days before cutting it.
- Zucchini. A ripe zucchini should have a shiny skin and should not be soft to the touch.
- Green beans. The pods of a green bean should be firm to the touch, with pliable tips. Avoid beans with blemished pods.
- Watermelon. A ripe watermelon should sound hollow when you tap it. Look for the patch on the rind where it laid on the ground in the field. If the spot is yellow, the melon is probably ripe.
- Peppers. Depending on the type of pepper, the skin should be true to the color. A ripe pepper should have firm skin. Avoid peppers that look bruised or feel mushy.
- Tomatoes. Ripe tomatoes have a shiny skin and should feel dense relative to their size when you pick them up.
- Snap peas. To determine if a snap pea is ripe, use the same method as you would for green beans. The pods should be firm but pliable.
- Blackberries. These are trickier to tell if they are ripe, because they are a delicate berry. Look for blackberries without any hint of red in the skin that have a smooth, stemless appearance.
- Blueberries. A ripened blueberry will have a deep blue skin with a light gray dusting on it. Avoid blueberries that have a red or purple tinge to them. These are most likely unripe.
- Nectarines. Ripe nectarines should not have any trace of green in their skin. The fruit should be soft but not mushy.
- Plums. Color does not matter nearly as much as quality of skin in plums. Look for a plum with soft and smooth skin. Avoid plums that are wrinkled or mushy.
Farmers markets can be found across Pennsylvania. Here is a list of the largest farmers markets in the state: The Top 6 Pennsylvania Farmers Markets.