The best recipes are those that don't meddle too much. A ripe nectarine needs only a hot griddle and some soft, torn burrata. Gooseberries, in all their old-fashioned tartness, requite little more than some whipped cream. And in that spirit, these are dishes to make now, before the season turns and blackberries give way to sloes.
Grilled Nectarine & Burrata Salad
BBC Good Food
Few things are as redolent of high summer as a ripe nectarine, and grilling only intensifies its honeyed sweetness, lending a gentle smokiness that works beautifully with creamy burrata. Add a handful of peppery leaves and a drizzle of olive oil and supper is done.
Make it.
Whipped Ricotta Toast with Honey Roasted Figs
Hunger Thirst Play
The arrival of figs always feels like turning a corner into late summer. There is something impossibly luxurious about their jewel-like interiors and almost floral sweetness. Here, they are roasted with honey until sticky and spooned over whipped ricotta and crisp toast – perfect for eating on a shaded Italian terrace (or at least imagining you are).
Make it.
Hot Honey Halloumi & Blackberry Salad
Waitrose
Most blackberries are destined for crumbles and jam. But do consider using them in savoury dishes too, where you'll find them equally at home. Their sweet sharpness cuts beautifully through salty halloumi and peppery leaves, while a drizzle of hot honey ties everything together with a sweet kick.
Make it.
Strawberry & Fennel Seed Buckle Cake
Waitrose
A buckle cake sits somewhere between a sponge and a crumble, and deserves to be far better known on this side of the Atlantic. This version pairs sweet strawberries with fragrant fennel seeds, whose gentle aniseed note somehow makes the berries taste even more intensely of themselves.
Make it.
Gooseberry Fool
Olive Magazine
No fruit feels quite so evocative of an English summer as the gooseberry. Sharp and almost translucent, they have an old-fashioned charm that makes us feel as though we had stepped into an Agatha Christie novel. Folded into softly whipped cream with elderflower and mint, they are transformed into something elegant yet deeply nostalgic.
Make it.
FAQS: Summer Fruits
What fruits are in season in the UK during summer?
Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, gooseberries, nectarines, peaches, apricots, blackberries and figs all reach their peak between June and September.
What is the best way to enjoy very ripe summer fruit?
Often, the simplest preparations are the best. Grilling, roasting or serving fruit with cream, soft cheese or yoghurt allows its natural flavour to shine.
Can I freeze summer fruit?
Yes. Berries freeze particularly well and can be used later in smoothies, crumbles and cakes. Stone fruits can also be frozen once sliced and stoned.
Which cheeses pair best with summer fruit?
Burrata, ricotta, mascarpone and goat's cheese all work beautifully with summer fruits, balancing sweetness with creamy richness.
What desserts make the most of seasonal fruit?
Fools, crumbles, clafoutis, galettes and simple fruit cakes are all excellent ways to celebrate summer produce without masking its flavour.
