While short cold days are meant for long-simmered rich tomato sauces, summer, for me, is all about the brightness and vibrancy of barely cooked freshly picked garden goodies. This is one of my favorite summer spaghetti dishes. It could not be simpler and comes together in just over the time it takes to boil pasta.

In the heat of summer, I find myself reluctant to even turn the stove on. This is my go-to summer soup. Served cold, it is so very refreshing. And to me, it is the perfect celebration of the summer goodies like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.

Looking for another sharp arrow in your summer squash quiver? Try this out!

The perfect dish to brighten the palette. I love these cucumbers served on rice in combination with a hearty umami dish. Feel free to adjust the spice level to your preference.

The beauty of this dish comes from the exciting contrast of hot and cold. Roasty hot tomatoes and chilly creamy yogurt make for a beautiful pair. Serve with a nice little loaf of focaccia or flatbread and, wah-la, your meal is ready.

If you have written off okra as some gross slimy creature, you are missing out. Look for freshly-picked, small, firm pods. Grilling them whole on a searing hot grill as quickly as possible is the key here.

The first time I had grilled cabbage it was a revelation. I was completely caught off guard by how delicious it was. The simple cabbage elevated to a nutty, smoky, still slightly crunchy experience. Good ol’ Kenji nailed this combination of the cabbage and spicy Thai dressing - it is delicious. I highly recommend giving it a go.

Joshua McFadden says, “This is the raw kale salad that changed my life.” Seems he was caught off guard by the impact his salad had on the world. He says it was because he could not get good quality salad greens in winter that he was forced to be creative and find an alternative ingredient. It is amazing what possibilities can be created when the regular is no longer an option...

In the heat of summer, I love this citrusy, light, and refreshing ceviche-like chopped salad. It is satisfying and yet not heavy. You can serve this as is with a side of chips, or on top of fresh greens, or in tacos. If you do not have access to crawfish, you could also use shrimp to the same effect.