Seasonal Stars: What to Cook with in July

July is a glorious time for fresh, vibrant produce here in Devon — and a fantastic opportunity to cook with the very best of the British summer larder. Whether you’re harvesting from your own garden or browsing the local farmer’s market, now is the time to celebrate peak flavour and colour on the plate.

At Ashburton Cookery School, we love to let the seasons inspire our dishes, and July brings some real heroes to the kitchen.

What’s in Season This Month?

Here are some of our favourite July ingredients and how to make the most of them:

Courgettes

Whether spiralised raw into salads, roasted until golden, or stuffed and baked, courgettes are at their best now. Don’t forget the flowers — delicate courgette blossoms are a seasonal treat, especially when filled with ricotta and herbs and lightly fried.

Berries

Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries are bursting with sweetness. Use them fresh in desserts like pavlovas and tarts, swirl them into panna cotta, or try a simple compote over breakfast yoghurt.

Tomatoes

Juicy, sun-ripened tomatoes need little more than olive oil, sea salt and fresh basil to shine. Make gazpacho, a colourful tomato salad, or roast them low and slow to concentrate their flavour.

Sweetcorn

Corn on the cob is a July favourite. Grill it with lime and chilli butter, fold kernels into fritters or soups, or try a fresh corn salsa with grilled fish or chicken.

Herbs

July is when herb gardens overflow. Think mint, basil, chervil, parsley and tarragon — perfect for pestos, infused oils, or scattering generously over almost any dish for instant freshness.

Cooking with the Seasons

Learning to cook seasonally not only makes your food taste better, it’s more sustainable and cost-effective too. Our short courses often feature seasonal menus, and we encourage students to get to know local ingredients — many of which we source right here in Devon.

If you’d like to improve your skills in seasonal, home-grown cookery, take a look at our upcoming courses here: ashburtoncookeryschool.co.uk/courses

And don’t forget to tag us in your summer creations — we love seeing what our alumni and home cooks are making with the best of the season!