Let's eat and drink 31 summery things before summer fades...
31 Things to Eat and Drink Before Summer Fades
- watermelon
- cherries
- black-, blue, rasp-, and strawberries
- plums
- peaches and nectarines
- corn
- okra
- tomatoes
- zucchini
- eggplant
- green goddess dressing
- fresh garden herb pesto
- gazpacho
- soupe au pistou
- naeng-myun
- cold soba
- summer rolls
- backyard BBQ ribs
- paht bing soo (shaved ice or sno-cones)
- funnel cake + deep fried fair foods
- ice cream made in two coffee cans
- campfire s'mores (bacon optional)
- clambake
- lobster roll (mini!)
- crab boil
- grilled salmon
- fish tacos
- rosé wine
- wine spritzer
- home cold brew iced coffee
- lemonade from a stand
an end note: I actually intended to make a "99" list, but in the end, only got as far as 78. Even then, I was reaching for foods and drinks that were quintessentially summer. Fresh fava beans? Green garbanzo beans? Strawberries even? I see those more as "Spring" things that just extend past their introductory season. And here in southern California, you could argue almost any food into our endless summer.
Strange, that even with a season that lasts until next February, we still feel the urgency of "the end."
I edited the original list down to a number that had more of a ring to it than an awkward "78 Things to Eat and Drink..." There are 31 days in August so it works, but this in no way means I accept that summer is over once the earlier of either September or Labor Day hits.
Editing 78 things down to less than half is a wordy bitch's worst nightmare, but I got there. These are a few of the "things" that didn't make the cut, but they are in every way still summer to me (even if I don't plan to actually eat a ballpark hot dog). If I left any off, please fill me in on the comments.
avocado. backyard burger. ballpark hot dogs. campari and soda. ceviche. fava beans. figs. green garbanzo beans. grilled shrimp. ice cream from an old school truck. Korean melon ice bars. margaritas. mojitos. mulberries. picnic potato salad. popsicles. sangria. shelling beans. zucchini blossoms.
Katie says
I love this list! And reading it I realized that August is simultaneously my favourite and least favourite month. I can't believe it's flashing by so quickly! Thanks for a great post.
TheDelicious says
Katie: so funny that you mention August being your least fav month... I used to think that too because there are NO HOLIDAYS in august! isn't that weird? it's the only month that doesn't have "get the work day off" holidays!
Diane, A Broad says
Melon ice bars! I haven't had one of those since I was a teenager!
TheDelicious says
i used to take down those pale-yet-neon green popsicles like nobody's business! but can't remember the last time I had one... I guess now's the time (though perhaps this weekend's project should be recreating Korean Melon Bars at home!)
Kankana says
I feel so glad that I am eating almost all of that except few of those which I never actually heard of but gonna find out.
rooth says
Apparently we're supposed to hurry and eat corn before the prices blow through the roof due to the drought :(
Sarah J. Gim says
i hadn't heard that about corn! where is there a drought? (i am so disconnected from the rest of the world it's awful...) though i did notice this past weekend at the farmers market (southern California) that there wasn't much corn when usually, there are piles of it...
Valerie says
This post is just what I needed...something that celebrates still-summer! Thank you. Usually I'm one of those people who feel depressed at the beginning of a vacation because they're (I'm,) already worried about it coming to an end. We all need gentle reminders on how to savor the moment, especially when those moments involve food. ;-)
Sarah J. Gim says
valerie: isnt that crazy?! at this rate, we're all going to start thinking about how winter is eventually going to end and we won't be able to eat all that warm, comforting braised food, soups, etc... ha
Cate says
I've barely had any of these :( The summer has been flying by... or rather, the days are long but the summer is short. Something like that. Need to do a snorkeling/cliff jumping/shave ice trip to the North shore before September rolls around. And a bottle of rose doesn't sound so bad either...
CarolQ says
Mulberries!! I've only had them in Sorento, Italy but I ate enough for a great big pie! We don't seem to have the Mulberry tree up here in the northwest. Yum!
Sarah J. Gim says
carolq: mulberries on this list but i've never actually had them! i've seen them on menus, and of course, a few times at the local farmers markets here in Los Angeles... one of these days I will be brave enough to buy some and try...
Jessie says
Loved reading this. Great list and photos.
Laura Dembowski says
I hope to move to California one day soon. Endless summer is part of my dreams everyday, particularly in January when it's snowing here in Michigan :( Love your list. Blackberries and peaches are my favorite, but I love many other things you included as well.
Sarah J. Gim says
laura: you WILL move to California one day if you want! i did! (i was born in Detroit and grew up there through middle school!)
Gregory Funk says
Sara Dawn, I drink green tea to detoxify. That should be on your list! Thank You though for the list. What a good reminder!!