June Food Letter

Every month in 2009, I am writing a post detailing some specific things about food in the upcoming month.

It is almost officially Summer but it seems like it has been Summer for the last month.  I can’t really imagine that it is going to get hotter, but I know that it will.  Hotter and more uncomfortable.

Obviously, this is the season of grilling, but there are some other foods that will be especially delicious starting in June.

Watermelon – There is nothing like biting in a crisp, cool slice of watermelon on a hot day.  But beyond slicing and eating, there are some great recipes that use this melon of water.

As an aside, be sure to check out foodie fights tomorrow.  One of the ingredients for the battle is melon.

Watermelon Gin Fizz – Watermelon and gin work surprisingly well together.  You could make this stuff by the pitcher also. (@ Spatulas, Corkscrews, & Suitcases)
Simple & Savory Watermelon Salad – This looks like a really easy salad to prepare.  Would also be awesome to pass around at a party. (@ Eating Out Loud)
Prosciutto Wrapped Watermelon - Salty and sweet.  Can’t go wrong with that combination ever. (@ Bleeding Espresso)
Pickled Watermelon Rind – I’ve never heard of this until I started doing some research for this post, but it sounds like an interesting idea. (@ Yum Blog)

Tomatoes - I noticed last weekend that the farmer’s market had the first really ripe tomatoes of the season.  I can eat a good tomato like an apple, sometimes with just a bit of salt.

Cold Tomato with Veggie Soup – Kind of like a gazpacho but a bit more substantial.  A good looking dish. (@ Lucullian)
Cherry Tomato Bites – Good finger food, but seriously good photos. (@ Zoe Blog)
Avocado Gazpacho – An interesting twist on a standard. (@ NY Times)
Roasted Tomato Salsa – I love a good salsa and this one looks pretty darn good. (@ The Wicked Noodle)

Blueberries - Plump and juicy.  Anytime you want to liven up a baking dish or pancake, it’s always a possibility to throw in some blueberries.

Kiwi Blueberry Smoothie – While I was in Europe I began to really appreciate the smoothie.  There were street vendors selling a bunch of different kinds and I could’ve easily had one a day for the rest of my life. (@ Feed Me Delicious)
Mango Blueberry Kanten – This is one of the more interesting dishes I’ve seen in awhile.  Looks very striking. (@ Artsy Foodie)
Biscotti with Blueberries – I’ve actually never made biscotti, but I think I might give it a go in the very near future. (@ Tender Crumb)
Blueberry Coffee Cake – Baking with blueberries is awesome.  Muffins, cookies, and this.  Everything is better with blueberries. (@Food Gal)

Summer Squash – Squash is pretty under-appreciated in my opinion.  I think that it is very versatile and delicious.

Grilled Yellow Squash – About the simplest way to cook up a squash, but so good.  (@ Vintage Victuals)
Squash Gratin – A beautiful and interesting use of squash.  Might take some time, but I bet it’s worth it. (@ The Kitchen Sink)
Pasta with Squash, Two Ways – Turns out squash is an awesome way to change up a pasta dish.  (@ Vegan Yum Yum)

Flag Day (June 14th) - Turns out there are not a lot of holidays in June, at least in America.  I can’t really think of what to make on flag day, but just thought I would remind everyone that it is happening.

Father’s Day (June 21st) - Fire up the grill and cook your old man a steak or something.  Can’t get much easier than that.  Dad’s are pretty easy to please, I think.

That’s it for this food letter.  Hope everyone has a good June!

Photos by foreversouls and Martin LaBar.