4 Must-Have Veggies That Will Power Up Your Menu This Summer

Summer is heating up, but there’s no need to worry, we have nature on our side to keep us cool and hydrated. Now is the perfect time to take full advantage of this season’s rich bounty of fresh vegetables and turn them into exciting, memorable dishes for your customers.

With today’s technological advances in agriculture that help bypass weather conditions, it’s easy to assume seasonality might soon become a thing of the past. Many vegetables are grown and stored in such a way that they are available all throughout the year, instead of just during their peak season.

While that is extremely convenient, it creates the need for a compromise when it comes to taste. That’s why it’s ideal to buy and use in-season vegetables as much as possible, to make sure you maximize their flavor and nutritional potential.

Produce wholesalers like Riviera Produce carry an extensive variety of farm-fresh produce. You can trust us to provide quality seasonal items at wholesale prices and support all your restaurant’s needs for locally sourced, peak-season produce at any time of the year.

With all that in mind, let’s review four must-have summer vegetables you should stock up on this season:

Cucumbers

Crunchy, hydrating and colorful, cucumbers are obvious contenders for the prize of best summer vegetable (although, fun fact, botanically speaking they are fruits). Cucumbers contain the highest amount of water of any food, a whopping 96%! They are in top shape during the summer, with their peak season lasting from May all the way to August.

You might be tempted to use up all cucumbers in fresh summer salads, and you would not be wrong to do so. They shine in fresh veggie mixes, and they pair wonderfully with many other summer vegetables, like tomatoes, peppers and even some fruits.

If you have any extra cucumbers left, don’t throw them away! They make excellent ingredients for smoothies or garnishes for your fancy summer cocktails.

Tomatoes

Nothing beats a big, juicy tomato on a hot summer day, does it? These sun-loving vegetables are veritable summer sensations, year after year. With so many varieties of tomatoes out there, you have plenty of options to choose from, regardless of the type of dishes you choose to serve at your restaurant during the hot season.

Setting aside regional differences, most tomatoes are in peak season starting in mid-summer (July) until fall, usually just before the first frost. That means you can now take full advantage of their sweet, tangy flavor and unmatched juiciness by making them a staple of your summer menu.

Tomatoes are an excellent match for a variety of dishes, from refreshing salads and hearty sandwiches, to delicious roasted side dishes and colorful sauces. Tomatoes are a mainstay in Mediterranean cuisine, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to let them shine in a pasta salad or next to an authentic souvlaki skewer.

Bell Peppers

With their bright, colorful skin and crisp, juicy flavor, bells truly make a statement in any dish they’re added to. Featuring them in your summer menu should be easy – they are extremely versatile and will elevate just about any type of dishes you can think of, from main courses to side salads.

The best time to buy fresh bell peppers wholesale is during the summer months and early fall, from July all the way to November. At optimal, peak-season flavor, they make wonderful additions to veggie platters (raw or grilled) and salads.

Corn

Following the tradition of versatile summer vegetables, we present to you: corn. This remarkable starchy vegetable, with its lively appearance and sweet flavor, is an absolute summer favorite among chefs and customers alike.

The peak season for corn runs from May to September, so the perfect time to stock up on this amazing summer crop is, well, now. Corn adds a pop of color and a dash of sweetness to any dish on your menu, so it’s a natural crowd-pleaser.

Speaking of crowd-pleasing, corn-on-the-cob is a great, easy way to impress your guests during the summer months. You could also consider frying your corn to create a delicious, buttery side dish or mixing it with grilled chicken, potatoes and greens to serve a hearty yet refreshing summer salad.

With summer’s plentiful bounty powering up your summer menu, you now have an excellent opportunity to experiment with juicy flavors and bold colors and create delicious dishes that will please all your customers.