Your Guide to NZ Summer Seasonal Produce & Recipes
What vegetables are cheap and in season in summer New Zealand?
When I think of summer, what springs to my mind is barbecues, salads, beaches, boating, warmer weather and entertaining with family and friends.
You will find plentiful amounts of vibrant, tasty produce in your garden, supermarket, local markets and produce stores, all at affordable prices over the summer months. Many of the produce including sweetcorn, capsicums, eggplants and zucchini are delicious eaten raw, quickly pan fried, or grilled on the barbecue.
Our recipes are designed to be used as guides only, with ingredients swapped in and out according to the seasons. That way we can celebrate the best of the seasons and make the most of the produce that is in abundance, affordable, locally grown and most importantly delicious!
3 reasons to enjoy and be aware of what produce is in season in summer
1. Cheap produce
In season produce is in abundance therefore it is cheaper. This is an excellent way to reduce your grocery bill!
2. It tastes better
Produce when you eat it in the right season is tastier and more nutrient dense. The produce has been allowed to ripen naturally.
3. Grown locally
There’s a high chance that the produce you buy has been locally grown in New Zealand. Supporting local growers is fantastic!
Top 10 cheapest vegetables and fruit to eat in summer NZ
Here are the Two Raw Sisters most affordable picks for Summer paired with some of our easy recipe ideas utilising the produce.
Summer Fruit
Berries: raspberries, boysenberries, currants, strawberries –
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Raspberry Caramel Fudge Blondie
Roasted Vanilla Strawberries + Hazelnut Crumble
Stone fruit: apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Nectarine Walnut Crumble Cake
Roasted Beets, Nectarines + Dukkha
Watermelon –
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Watermelon, Feta + Lime Pickled Onions
Summer Vegetables
Cucumber –
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Halloumi Greek Salad Bowls
Cucumber, Feta + Herb Salad
Capsicums –
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Capsicum, Rice, Avocado + Lemon Tahini Yoghurt
Grilled Zucchini, Orzo + Herbs
Eggplant –
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Roasted Eggplant + Rocket Pesto Pasta
Eggplant Loaded Hummus
Zucchini –
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Lentils, Zucchini, Tomatoes + Feta
Zucchini + Feta Fritters
Tomatoes –
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Halloumi Wraps
Grilled Peaches, Tomatoes, Basil + Burrata
Sweetcorn –
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Grilled Corn + Chipotle Lime Mayo
Brown Rice, Chilli, Corn + Avocado
Avocado –
Two Raw Sisters recipes
Summer Greens with Sourdough Croutons
Avocado Edamame Smash