One of the best aspects of summer is the bounty of produce that can be found locally. So many of these ingredients taste their best when they are in season, and chefs throughout the region are inspired by seasonal treats such as cool cucumbers, fragrant basil, colorful tomatoes, and fresh watermelon when developing their summer menus. Here are five dishes that put the spotlight on some of these summer indulgences.
Carmello’s Strawberry Bruschetta
Think strawberries are for dessert only? Nope! The summer menu at Carmello’s of Old Town Manassas features them prominently as a part of a bruschetta appetizer. Luscious strawberries are served on crunchy crostini with dollops of lemony crème fraîche, and then are adorned with toasted almonds, peppery shards of basil, and balsamic vinegar. It’s summer in a dish! 9108 Center St., Manassas
Clarity’s Stuffed Squash Blossoms
Summer’s ultimate delicacy is squash blossoms, which are edible flowers that grow on zucchini plants. They offer a subtle floral flavor and are perfect for stuffing and frying. At Clarity, the squash blossoms are filled with ricotta cheese and ratatouille, which is a rich, aromatic French stew made of summer vegetables that includes tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant. The yellow-green blooms are then battered and fried and served with a smoky tomato-butter sauce. 442 Maple Ave. E., Vienna
Colada Shop’s Summer Corn Empanadas
Corn is at its sweetest in the summer, when we are lucky enough to enjoy it on the cob or as kernels in soups, salads, pastas, and every which way. For a Cuban corn-centric snack, try the corn empanadas at Colada Shop. The savory dough is stuffed with heaps of corn and mozzarella cheese, then deep fried to a golden crisp. The result is a flaky pastry oozing with gooey cheese and plenty of juicy corn kernels. It’s the ultimate marriage of sweet and salty, crunchy, and creamy. 2811 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington; 2020 District Ave., Ste. 180, Fairfax
Rustico’s Watermelon Salad
One of the best ways to cool off when the temperatures are scorching if you can’t jump in a swimming pool (or even if you can) is with a hunk of chilled watermelon. At Rustico, the kitchen utilizes watermelon in a Greek-inspired savory salad where cubes of watermelon mingle with other summery produce including hunks of English cucumbers and fresh sprigs of mint. To add a salty note, the salad is topped off with pieces of tangy feta cheese, and then drizzled with fruity olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh squeezed lime juice. 827 Slaters Ln., Alexandria
Immigrant Food’s Gazpacho
Culinarily, there is perhaps no better representative of summer than a sweet, succulent tomato. At Immigrant Food, the humble tomato is showcased in a simple cold summer gazpacho. To create this earthy seasonal soup, loads of fresh tomato are blended with red bell peppers, garlic, and olive oil. 4245 Fairfax Dr., Ste. 100, Arlington
Feature image of Colada Shop’s corn empanada by Priya Konings
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