July – One Green Planet

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Summer has truly arrived, bringing with it an abundance of fresh produce from gardens across the United States! This season highlights some of summer’s finest vegetables: corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash, and zucchini. Additionally, berries like raspberries and blueberries are now widely available.

This guide provides a regional overview to help you identify which seasonal items are likely thriving in your area this month. We encourage exploring these options at local farmers markets or through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs; truly fresh produce can often be found right in your backyard as well!

Note: Scroll down for key-to-table abbreviations.

Regional Overview of Summer Produce

Table Key:

S = South
SW = Southwest
MW = Midwest
UMW = Upper Midwest
PNW = Pacific Northwest
NE = Northeast

Elevating Your Plant-Based Cooking Skills

Embracing a diet lower in animal products, often referred to as plant-based, offers numerous documented health benefits. These include reducing chronic inflammation, improving cardiovascular health, enhancing mental well-being, supporting weight management and fitness goals, meeting diverse nutritional requirements, managing common food sensitivities or allergies effectively, and promoting optimal digestive function.

Furthermore, understanding the environmental impact of our food choices empowers us to make more sustainable decisions. While plant-based eating is often associated with positive health outcomes, it also contributes significantly to reducing one’s carbon footprint.

For those looking to incorporate more plants into their meals, we suggest exploring excellent plant-based cookbooks. The Food Monster App, offering thousands of delicious recipes designed for plant-based cooking, can be a valuable tool in this journey. Please consider subscribing to the One Green Planet Newsletter for daily updates on sustainable living and recipe inspiration.

See also The 10 most mouthwatering plant-based pumpkin pasta dishes for a cozy fall are:1. Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Sage and Brown Butter - A classic fall fusion of creamy pumpkin sauce, crispy sage leaves, and nutty brown butter tossed with perfectly cooked pappardelle.2. One-Pot Pumpkin Pasta with Spaghetti Squash and Kale - A hearty, autumnal one-pot wonder that combines the best of pasta, spaghetti squash, kale, and a hint of cinnamon for a cozy fall night in.3. Vegan Pumpkin Ravioli with Maple Sage Brown Butter Sauce - Flaky, pillowy pumpkin ravioli wrapped around a delicate sage-infused filling, served with a rich maple syrup-kissed brown butter sauce that will leave you wanting more.4. Pumpkin Cream Fettuccine Alfredo with Crispy Shallots and Chives - A vegan take on the classic fettuccine alfredo, substituting creamy pumpkin puree for heavy cream and adding crunchy crispy shallots and chives for added texture.5. Spaghetti Squash and Pumpkin Curry Pasta - A warm, aromatic curry pasta dish that combines roasted spaghetti squash with tender pumpkin chunks, all wrapped in a fragrant blend of Indian spices.6. Pumpkin and Sage Pappardelle with Crispy Fried Sage Leaves - Delicate pappardelle tossed with a rich pumpkin sage sauce and topped with crispy fried sage leaves for a texturally intriguing fall treat.7. One-Pot Pumpkin Pasta Bake with Sweet Potatoes and Kale - A comforting, easy-to-make pasta bake that combines the warmth of sweet potatoes and kale with the comfort of creamy pumpkin puree, all wrapped in a golden-brown crust.8. Vegan Pumpkin Carbonara with Spaghetti Squash and Turmeric Cream Sauce - A plant-based twist on the classic carbonara, substituting spaghetti squash for fettuccine and using turmeric-infused cashew cream to replicate the rich egginess of traditional carbonara.9. Pumpkin Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds - Homemade pumpkin ravioli served with a nutty brown butter sage sauce and topped with toasted pumpkin seeds for added crunch and fall flavor.10. Creamy Pumpkin Mac 'n Cheese with Crispy Shallots and Chives - A comforting, plant-based macaroni and cheese dish that combines creamy pumpkin puree with sharp cheddar and crispy fried shallots for a fall twist on the classic comfort food.

Here are some excellent resources you might find useful:

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