SO, SUMMER, EH?

We know, it was rubbish. We’re sorry.

But just because summer didn’t live up to its promise, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the fruits – well, vegetables, of the season.

And as we’re definitely at the end of that season, we’ve rounded up six yummy recipes for you to take full advantage of the last of the ‘summer’ days and show summer who’s boss.

1. Courgette butter (or jam)

Emily Han Emily Han

They’re calling it butter, they’re calling it jam. Clearly they’re not totally confident what it is – and neither are we. We’re not quite sure that a butter can be made out of vegetables, but potatoes, potahtoes, right? It looks amazing.

According to this you can eat it on toast or as a side dish. It involves simmering down a load of courgettes (or zucchinis in this recipe) with lots of garlic and shallots and it will eventually carmelize into a nice jam. (Or butter…what? So confused…)

And it can be kept for a month – so you can nosh on this whenever the mood suits you.

2. Maple syrup roasted tomatoes

Saveur Saveur

These are seriously amazing. The maple syrup brings out the inherent sweetness of the tomatoes and you can use these in all sorts of ways – from pizza toppings, to salads to a moreish snack all by themselves.

3. Potato salad with green beans and salsa verde

Sheamus Feeley Sheamus Feeley

It’s a salad, but it’s got potatoes in it. Yum.

Salsa verde is a green salsa made with all sorts of finely chopped green things like mint and parsley and chives with a little lemon juice thrown in for an extra kick. This would be delicious with some roasted chicken.

4. Summer veggie pasta

MyRecipes MyRecipes

This recipe is great because the veg don’t need any cooking and you can prepare them while the pasta is bubbling away, and toss it all together at the end.

If you want some protein, you could throw in some cooked shredded chicken too, or serve it on the side.

5. Chickpea feta tabbouleh

Ashley Jennings Ashley Jennings

Tabbouleh – made from cous cous or bulgar wheat with chopped tomatoes, cucumber and onions and mint thrown in – is a really quick and easy dish to whip up. The cous cous takes about 15 mins to ‘cook’ (ie sitting in boiling water) and you can chop up all the other ingredients while that’s happening.

This version is a little more fancy and wholesome with protein-packed chickpeas and the tartness of the feta adding extra layers of flavour… A very fancy side dish or a filling salad all on its own.

6. Summer vegetable pizza

jeanine jeanine

This uses a lot of similar ingredients to the pasta above with the added bonus of it being pizza. So you’re being good and getting your veg in but on a delicious and cheesy pizza.

Have we inspired you to get the last out of the glut of summer vegetables? Do you have any tasty recipes to share? Let us know in the comments below.