The Best Summer Vegetables in Season in San Diego

Summertime brings some of the freshest produce to San Diego. Eating local, seasonal fruits and vegetables is highly beneficial for your health and your wallet! We’ve got the rundown on the very best summer vegetables San Diego has to offer. Check it out, then plan a trip to your favorite farmer’s market to stock up! 

Avocados – Sure, San Diego enjoys avocados year-round. But during the summer and early fall months, you’ll find that avocados here ripen faster and are much creamier than any other time of year. This gives you a great excuse to add plenty of this delectable, healthy fat to all your summer salads, snacks and entrees!

Basil and oregano – Fresh herbs like basil and oregano thrive and grow rapidly under the warm summer sun. To save money, you can easily pot your own herb plants at home. Place them in a mostly sunny spot outdoors and water a few times a week. Then tear off the leaves and add to any summer veggie, pasta, or salad dish for a burst of flavor that will round out any meal! 

Cucumbers – Cucumbers love sun and water, and they grow very quickly as long as they receive both in ample quantities. This makes summer the best time of year to make this cool, refreshing veggie a big part of your weekly meal planning. 

Eggplant – Like tomatoes, eggplants reach their height of sweet, creamy flavor and texture in the late summer months. Eggplant is a very versatile veggie — it can be fried, stuffed, layered and baked, smoked and even pureed. Look for shiny eggplants with tight, firm skin and avoid any that have shriveling. 

Green beans – Throughout the summer and early fall, you’ll find fresh, crisp vibrantly green string beans in huge quantities at just about every grocery store and farmer’s market in San Diego. Green beans also freeze well. Blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then submerge in ice water for equal time. Dry, and store in an air-tight bag in the freezer for up to 10 months! 

Peppers – The summer California sun ripens peppers to perfection. You’ll find great deals on just about every variety and color of pepper, from bell to hot to sweet. Coat your favorite pepper in olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and pop them on the grill! 

Summer squash – Although it is in season from July to October in San Diego, this versatile yellow veggie reaches its peak ripeness in August. Cut summer squash into thin slices and sauté with tomatoes, green beans, garlic and fresh herbs for a healthy, super-fast side dish that goes with anything! 

Sweet corn – Corn on the cob is a summer delicacy in just about every part of the U.S. Sweet corn is especially coveted for its juicy, golden kernels that go perfectly in countless summer recipes. San Diegans can enjoy plenty of this tasty treat from July to September. 

Tomatoes – It’s hard to imagine summer without picturing a plump, juicy tomato. Heirloom varieties, on-the-vine, and Campari tomatoes are especially flavorful in August and September in San Diego. Be sure to plant themin late May or June for the best chance at a great crop! 

Tomatillos – Tomatillos are also at their apex from July to September in San Diego. To whip up a simple, mouth-watering homemade salsa verde, husk a pound of tomatillos, place in a pot with water, bring to a boil, then let simmer for five minutes. Place them in a blender with chopped onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, salt ,and jalapenos, and pulse until mixed.