Pams Prep Kitchen: A Guide to Eating Seasonally in Spring & Summer
Fresher, sweeter and cheaper – seasonal produce is simply all-round goodness. When purchased and consumed around the time of local harvest, fresh fruit and vege is likely to be tastier and more nutritious than your usual imported or out of season ingredients. Less transport and storage time means more time to be naturally ripened by the sun, allowing for premium produce all spring and summer long.
Eating and shopping seasonally means following nature’s natural rhythm of production and eating what’s in abundance. We’re usually spoilt for choice in New Zealand, with our local supermarkets stocking all kinds of produce all year round, but just because it’s available doesn’t mean it’s in season! Although we’re grateful for tomatoes in winter and strawberries in autumn, nothing quite beats them when they’re in their prime. Juicy and fuller in flavour, eating seasonally elevates your dishes and adds to your healthy lifestyle during the warmer weather. After a long winter full of hearty, wholesome meals eaten indoors, it’s definitely time to take advantage of those lighter options!
We get so excited seeing all the seasonal produce start to fill the shelves when the weather gets warmer. From asparagus, tender courgette, corn and tomatoes to juicy stone fruit and sweet berries. Here’s to colourful fruit bowls and abundant veggie drawers for a fraction of the price!
Spring Asparagus
We love asparagus in our Green Shakshuka - perfect for a spring weekend brunch!
Spring Courgettes
Summer Tomatoes
Although tinned tomatoes are accessible and affordable and great to have in the pantry, nothing quite beats a homemade fresh tomato sauce for seasonal pastas, stews, or curries. Pams has multiple varieties of tomatoes, with each type having its own perfect place in your cooking. From fresh, grilled, or roasted, tomatoes can make a dish without breaking the bank!
Check out all the different varieties of Pams tomatoes! We have Strawberry Tomatoes, Vine Tomatoes, Sweet Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Baby Heirloom Tomatoes. Even try a mix of these in our BBQ Camembert Bruschetta.
Summer Corn
Fritters, Mexican Corn Cobs, freshly shaven kernels sprinkled over summer pizza, or even just simply smothered in butter. We especially love the bursts of yellow in this Sweet Corn Summer Pasta.
Summer Stone Fruit
Summer Berries
If your fridge is overflowing with berries, or your kids went overboard at a berry picking farm, then we recommend making your own simple jam. Super easy and quick to do, having sweet homemade jam on hand never disappoints – your morning toast will taste even more delicious! Or, whip up this delicious Simple Berry Cobbler for an after-dinner treat!
Quick Pickling
A basic brine is equal parts vinegar and water, with salt & sugar. Bring this mix to the boil on the stove, add your favourite aromatics for flavour, and pour over your prepared vegetables in a sterilized jar. Screw on the lid and store in the fridge for up to 3 months. We love to make quick pickles with green beans, asparagus, courgette, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, capsicums - you name it! You can even quick pickle in-season cherry tomatoes – the options are endless.
Try out some of our tips & tricks or get creative with it to make your family’s favourite flavour combos!
- Add stems of fresh herbs to your vegetables in the jar before pouring over the brine – try dill to make a dill pickle.
- Add a tablespoon of your favourite spices to your brine – we love aromatics such as coriander seeds, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chilli flakes, peppercorns, or a pinch of turmeric.
- Add a few cloves of fresh crushed garlic, some sliced fresh chillies, or slices of fresh ginger for a boost of flavour.
Delicious, healthy, and packed full of flavour - pickled vegetables are the perfect condiments for topping the warmer month’s dishes with. Great in salads, sandwiches, burgers or for just a quick snack right from the jar!