What’s in Season in August?

Irish summer produce is truly a delight! We are in the height of summer and growing season is at its peak.  So why not try nature’s goodies? Seasonal eating helps you prepare the best tasting meals as the ingredients are so fresh. Additionally, eating in season brings variety to your diet and excitement to your kitchen.

Beetroot

August = Beetroot time at Ballymaloe Foods. Beetroot comes into season in August. We source all our Beetroot for Joe Hartnett in East Cork. Food provenance is of upmost importance to us all at Ballymaloe Foods, we use local farmers were possible. The #farmtofork and #farmtofactory is a growing movement that we are happy to be a part of. Joe’s farm is a mere 20km for our factory which is located just outside Cork City. The beetroot is processed and packaged on site and then distributed across the Country.

New Potatoes

New potatoes are only set to last until September, so get your fill while you can! Queens and Homeguard are the most popular Irish new potato and are readily available in any good food store or supermarket. Make a creamy potato salad with our Ballymaloe Mayo or enjoy new spuds drowning in butter with some fresh chives.

Beans

Broad beans, runner beans, French beans are all at their peak in July and they make the most delicious salads. Simply blanch the broad beans briefly, chop up, dress with Ballymaloe Honey and Mustard Dressing and season with sea salt for the perfect summer salad. Peas are also in season, pick them off the stalk and eat them raw, they are so sweet and crunchy, totally irresistible!

Berries

Irish raspberries, blueberries, loganberries, gooseberries and tayberries are now in season. If you walk any rural road in Ireland, you will find these berries growing. Sweet berries are a snack in themselves, they are also lovely in baked goods, as simple dessert served with a little cream or in a compote to serve with your morning porridge. If you have an abundance of berries make a jam, it is such a delight pulling a homemade raspberry jam from the back of the cupboard in the depths of winter.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are at their juiciest and sweetest in August. They are truly one of the most rewarding crops for the home gardener to grow as their flavour is so much better than imported shop brought tomatoes. Tomatoes grow in all shapes and sizes such as yellow cherry tomatoes, purple red beef tomatoes, or golden queen tomatoes. Basil is also in season, a fresh tomatoes and basil salad with Ballymaloe French Dressing, how could you go wrong?

Cucumbers

A fresh cucumber is a wonderful addition to any meal. They are rich in vitamins, very hydrating and totally delicious. Use as a main ingredient in a raw salad or make an incredibly refreshing cocktail or juice.

Courgettes and marrows are all coming into season and are delicious. You will find them at your local farmers market or supermarket, or you could try to grow cucumbers, courgettes and marrows at home, all you will need is a green house, a little sunshine and a sense of adventure.

Seafood

Call into your local fish mongers, Ireland is so fortunate to have such a thriving seafood industry in Ireland. Crab, lobster and prawns are at their best in August. By eating seasonal, you are naturally adding variety to your diet, each change in season brings exciting food to eat. Include seafood on a summer’s evening, for example, mix fresh crab meat with Ballymaloe Mayo for a simple and delicious crab salad!

Mackerel is a summer fish, the mackerel season peaks in July, August and September. Mackerel fresh off the boat, into the frying pan with a knob of butter and onto your dinner table, it doesn’t get much better than that! Additionally, click here to view our Smoked Mackerel, Horseradish Crème Fraiche and Ballymaloe Irish Beetroot Salad.