What’s in season in June?
As summer gets under way in the UK, June brings a fresh load of produce to the shops and markets. Eating seasonal produce will mean you’re eating fruit and vegetables at their best and can help support local growers and reduce the mileage that your food has travelled.
Summer fruits
June is the start of the British soft fruit season. Sweet juicy strawberries are in abundance throughout June and can be eaten fresh, in desserts, in jam or with cream. Gooseberries start to come into season too, with their sharp flavour used in crumbles, fools and sauces to serve with oily fish such as mackerel.
Fruit such as cherries start to come in towards the end of the month, and although technically a vegetable, outdoor rhubarb is still being picked into early summer.
Vegetables in season
June sees the tail-end of asparagus season in the UK and we recommend you get it and grill it, roast it in the oven or simply steam it with butter. Also current are the broad beans and peas, fresh and sweet, which are delicious in a salad, in risottos or simply with some butter and mint.
New potatoes are tender and at their best straight from the earth – boil them and add fresh mint. Among the summer crops, now starting to come in, are the courgettes, spinach, chard and radishes that add splashes of colour to summer dishes; and the spring onions and lettuces that are at their crisp best.
To complement your kitchenware, you can choose from the many ovenable trays available from suppliers like //www.southerncrosspackaging.com/ovenable-trays.
Seasonal fish and shellfish
June is a good month for mackerel, which is at its best in summer, along with plaice and pollock. Crab is a top shellfish choice for June.
Whether a species of fish is sustainable to eat depends on where it was caught and how it was caught, not just the species. The Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide rates species of fish by their stock and fishing method, and your fishmonger should be able to tell you where their fish comes from.
Herbs and hedgerow flavours
Many fresh herbs are in season during June, including mint, basil, chives and parsley, which brighten salads, sauces and marinades. Elderflowers also come into flower during June and are often used to make elderflower cordial as well as to flavour cakes and syrups. When foraging for elderflowers, make sure you have correctly identified them, only pick away from busy roads and leave plenty of the flowers on the bush for the wildlife.
June at a glance
| Type | In season in June | Try it |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | Strawberries, gooseberries, cherries, rhubarb | Strawberries and cream, gooseberry fool |
| Vegetables | Asparagus, peas, broad beans, new potatoes, courgettes | Pea and broad bean risotto |
| Fish | Mackerel, plaice, pollock, crab | Grilled mackerel with gooseberry sauce |
| Herbs and flowers | Mint, basil, chives, elderflower | Homemade elderflower cordial |
Frequently asked questions
Why do British strawberries taste better in June?
Strawberries that are grown and picked locally in season can be left on the plant to ripen and then picked and delivered to you quickly. This means that they are typically sweeter and have more fragrance than fruit that has been picked early in order to travel long distances. You can also pick your own at pick-your-own farms and enjoy them at their best.
How long does the British asparagus season last?
The season for British asparagus is traditionally short and lasts from late April to around the end of June. So June is the last chance of the year to enjoy it at its best before next spring.
Where to go next
Planning a day out with the family? Our list of fun family activities to do this summer includes picnics and pick-your-own ideas.
Eating with the seasons in June means fresher meals, better flavour and a closer connection to where your food comes from. Visit farmers’ markets and farm shops, or try growing a few herbs and salads of your own.
