À La Carte: The best of summer produce

Dairy-free creamed corn, zucchini pasta, easy eggplant + more ☀️

Hi friends,

Summer is officially here (woo!), so this week I’m handing over the mic to superstar summer produce. Because if you’re like me, you do not simply walk past peak corn, tomatoes, or strawberries at the farmers market/grocery store.

The five recipes below are easy tried-and-trues, and I can’t wait to eat more of them this season.

1. Smoky Creamed Corn

Unlike probably many of you, I did not grow up eating creamed corn. So this version with coconut milk, miso, and smoked paprika is nothing close to “authentic”. And honestly, who cares? It’s a total “flavor-bomb”, as one commenter noted, that can complement any summer cookout.

2. Panzanella Toscana

When it comes to summer cooking, I particularly enjoy looking to Italy for inspiration, since the cuisine is all about showcasing high-quality ingredients with minimal fuss. If you can get your hands on some standout tomatoes, panzanella is a must.

3. Pan-Fried Eggplant with Garlic and Parsley

This simple dredge-and-pan-fry technique yields tender, buttery, sweet eggplant. The garlicky herb relish takes it over the top. (I can - and have - eaten the whole platter solo…)

4. Lemon Zucchini Pasta with Chickpeas

This 30-minute dinner bursts with tangy, briny freshness. If you also can’t get enough of things like capers and lemon, you’re gonna love it.

5. Sugar-Free Strawberry Chia Pudding

This summery make-ahead breakfast is made entirely with whole foods and has zero refined sweeteners. Soaked and blended cashews replace the more typical store-bought plant milk, while jammy medjool dates lend an earthy sweetness.

Planning to make one of these? Tell me how it goes in the comments section or tag me with your creation on Instagram.