August is an abundant month here in the UK, with fields, allotments and greenhouses overflowing with fresh produce. And as most of us will be ‘staycationing’ this year, it’s also the perfect opportunity to double down on eating locally, seasonally and ultimately, more sustainably.
That’s the message of a new social media campaign from Food Vale, a partnership of individuals, community groups, organisations and businesses working together to build a thriving, healthy and sustainable food system in the Vale.
You might spot a few familiar faces in this clip…!
SO WHAT’S IN SEASON IN THE UK IN AUGUST?
According to eattheseasons.co.uk, now is the time for British artichokes, aubergines, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, chillies, courgettes, cucumber, fennel, french beans, garlic, kohlrabi, lettuce & salad leaves, mangetout, marrow, onions, pak choi, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, rocket, runner beans, spring onions, sweetcorn, tomatoes, watercress, turnips and wild mushrooms.
On the fruit front, look out for ripe and juicy apricots, bilberries, blueberries, cherries, damsons, figs, greengages, melons, loganberries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, raspberries, redcurrants, strawberries and blackberries.
You should also be able to find plenty of basil, chives, coriander, oregano, mint, parsley, parsley, rosemary, sage, sorrel, tarragon and thyme.
Seafood fans can look out for sustainable UK-caught coley, crab, dab, dover sole, grey mullet, haddock, halibut, herring, langoustine, lemon sole, mackerel, pilchard, plaice, pollack, prawns, red mullet, sardines, sea bass (wild), sea bream, sea trout, shrimp, and squid.
FIVE SEASONAL RECIPES TO TRY THIS MONTH
- Delicious Magazine’s Grilled Peach & Burrata Panzanella Salad (see below)
- Bar 44’s Fire Roast Figs with Chestnut Honey, Moscatel Sherry & Hazelnut Ice Cream
- BBC Good Food’s Roast Aubergines with Yoghurt & Harissa
- My Caws Cenarth & Heritage Tomato Salad
- My Cream Cheese & Roasted Tomatoes on Toast
