In Season: Plums

Growing up, my dad would come whistling into our bedrooms early on Saturday mornings and try to guilt us out of bed to weed-whack the yard (we didn't have much grass, okay?), make a grocery store run or do "something productive."

And now suddenly, the grass can wait and we have enough cereal but heaven forbid we don't get to the Farmer's Market early enough! It's like the weekend would cease to exist without a bear claw (or two) and more fresh fruit and vegetables than two or three people can possibly consume in seven days.

And guess what? Plums are in season right now, so dig on into a bushel of juicy sugar plums, red plums, italian plums, black diamonds...there's about a million different kinds! The best time of year to dig into plums is May through October. Craving more than a simple mouthful of plums? Check out these tasty recipes:

• Ginger Plum Skillet Cake
• Hungarian Plum Dumplings
• Plum and Blackberry Muesli Crumble
• Plum Raspberry Sorbet

In Season: Raspberries

I almost let Raspberry season pass me by without so much as a mention! That would have been no good.

If you can believe it, I used to not like Raspberries very much. They always seemed kind of mushy, and just a little sour, to me. But that's store-bought Raspberries. If you get some fresh from the Farmer's Market or, even better, straight from a thorny berry bush, you are in for a treat! They have a deep ruby color and a brighter flavor, if that makes sense. Each little berry is like a capsule of juicy flavor that just explodes in your mouth!

On the east coast (Beast Coast!), Raspberries are generally in season through September. But if you're going for fresh, wild berries, be sure to get picking soon before the birds gobble them all up without you!

Need some suggestions for a great Raspberry dessert? Give these a try:

• Raspberry Peach Crumb Cake
• Lemon Buttermilk Raspberry Tart
• Raspberry Almond Bundt Cake
• Pear and Raspberry Flan

In Season: Cherries

I marched up and down and through every dirt road, corn field and briar patch on my grandparents' farm, formally known as "The Farm," and picked wild blackberries and raspberries and homegrown strawberries, fresh warm peaches, crisp apples...

But I had no idea there were wild cherry trees along the edge of the woods until my dad found them on a hike not too long ago. A precious find.

The most common kinds of cherries are the wild, or sweet, cherry and the sour cherry. They are in season in North America during the summer months, but peak season is in June. And if you're looking for something delicious to whip up with some fresh cherries, give these recipes a try:

• Cherry Limeade Cupcakes
• Sour Cherry Compote
• Chocolate Covered Cherry Cobbler
• Sweet Cherry Sorbet with Lemon Basil

In Season: Strawberries

I grew up in a row home. There was a parking lot across the street with a little hill that grew the tiniest wild strawberries you've ever seen. I used to go out there and gather up handfuls with the neighbor kids. I'm not sure what I was planning to do with them, since I don't remember actually eating (many) but it sure was fun to pick! Strawberries are typically in season in the U.S. from June until mid-August.

Looking for a tasty strawberry recipe? Check these out:

• Rhubarb and Strawberry Gingered Shortcake
• French Strawberry Buttercream
• Strawberry Banana Cupcakes

In Season: Rhubarb

In the U.S., Rhubarb is in season from late April/May through late June or July. Rhubarb is an interesting plant/fruit/vegetable. Still not sure exactly how to stereotype it. Whatever you do, though, be sure not to eat the leaves, they're poisonous. Most often, rhubarb is baked into a sweet pie since it's slightly bitter, and it goes great with strawberries! 


Feeling adventurous? Test our Rhubarb in one of these recipes:

• Rhubarb and Strawberry Gingered Shortcake
• Sweet Cherry Semolina Cake with Candied Clementines
• Strawberry Rhubarb Double Crisp
• Sweet & Tart Rhubarb and Berry Dessert Sauce