Produce Guide: What's in season this August

1. Yam

Like little pockets of golden goodness, yams add a wonderful hit of tangy sweetness to roast dinners. These roasted yams are caramelised in maple syrup and dukkah, giving them that beautiful melt-in-your-mouth texture. Jazz up your roast vegetables with this recipe where yams and other roasties are drizzled with warm lemony saffron butter, or try this root roast with a zingy mustard gravy.

Caramelised roast yams with maple syrup and dukkah

2. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is available all year round, but you can really get the best out of it in August by including it in warming winter dishes. Whip up this sticky chickpea and cauliflower rice for a unique pairing with our fast lamb curry, or try this creamy cauliflower and bacon soup for an irresistible bowl of warmth. This roasted spiced cauliflower transforms the humble veggie into a show-stopping side, and these cauliflower cheese fritters are packed with mozzarella and feta for a quick and tasty meal.

3. Lime

Get zesty with August’s supply of limes, which add a lively tang to both sweet and savoury dishes. These white chocolate and lime biscuits make the most of the fruit’s zest to add a kick of flavour, or this stunning tart plays on the gorgeous flavour combination of lime and ginger with a creamy filling and crunchy gingernut base. Test the star power of the lime and ginger combo again in this lemongrass pork recipe or experience the best of the lime’s zinginess with this vibrant chilli lime snapper.

4. Artichoke

This cactus-like vegetable can be slightly intimidating at first glance, but once you know how to prepare artichokes you will be able to get the best of their wonderful sweet, nutty flavour. Boil them in lemon water to create this Mediterranean-style artichoke salad, or simmer with garlic, lemon and chilli before arranging with goat’s cheese and thyme on this delectable pizza. For a truly comforting winter dinner, our lamb and artichoke stew should be your go-to, which is packed with carrots, broad beans and olives.

5. Swede

Sweet and earthy, the swede is a subtle vegetable which lends itself well to many wintery dishes. Growing rampantly in the cold, frosty conditions of the lower South Island, swedes are harder to come by in the rest of the country, but if you do come across one then this mashed swede with chilli and herbs is the best way to make the most of the flavour. Our swede and silverbeet pie is another great way to experience the deliciousness, or this parsnip and swede soup is a nourishing meal, especially when paired with our tasty parmesan crisps.

6. Tamarillo

Also known as the tree tomato, tamarillos are a tart and tangy fruit that hit peak season in August – just when all the other fruit starts to disappear! Other than scooping it straight from its skin and into your mouth tamarillos are delicious in a variety of baking, such as our tamarillo oaty slice or tamarillo and coconut friands. This tamarillo tarte Tatin is a luscious dessert, made with homemade pastry and beautiful poached tamarillos. And to preserve the fruit’s goodness for months to come, try your hand at a batch of this wonderfully spicy tamarillo and apple relish.

7. Cabbage

The humble cabbage is always a staple in the kitchen, but it’s not necessarily always a favourite. Jazz it up this August with our flavoursome cabbage and prawn pad Thai, or make a crunchy slaw to pair with this delicious Hawaiian pork belly. You could also opt for a gut-loving meal with these tasty sauerkraut fritters, which you can make with our simple homemade sauerkraut recipe. Who knows, it might just become your go-to veggie!

8. Broccoli

Versatile, nutritious and always a dinnertime winner, broccoli should always be at the top of your grocery list, especially around this time of the year when many other green veggies are out of season. This broccoli and three cheese pie combines the magic of goat’s cheese, mozzarella and feta in a homemade gluten-free shell, or you could make your broccoli into a healthy base for this parmesan and bocconcini pizza. If you are left with too much broccoli or other vegetables from the night before, give this leftover vegetable frittata a go to create a simple and scrumptious meal that helps reduce food waste.