September: Produce in season for the Pacific NW
September is such a crazy month. We have the hot temperatures and peak produce of summer + school starting and fall arriving. I have been canning and freezing as much as possible the past two weeks. I have finished 160 pounds of apples and 100 pounds of tomatoes. This week I’m going to tackle 50 pounds of peaches ripening on my table right now.
For fruit, look for local melons, prunes, plums, late peaches, and early apples and pears.
In the vegetable department kale, herbs, green beans, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, onions, and peppers are still producing like crazy right now. Different varieties of squash are also coming off the vines.
Here are some other crops that are currently in season, along with a few of our favorite ways to use them:
Apples
Basil
- Basic Basil Pesto
- Buttermilk Ranch Dressing & Dip
- Middle Eastern Vegetable Salad
- Panzanella Salad
- Roasted Marinara Sauce
Corn
Cucumbers
Greens (chard, kale)
- Beans & Greens
- Coconut Chicken Soup
- Green Juice
- Kale Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
- Sauteed Greens with Raisins
Peaches
- Canning Peaches
- Eat fresh with Homemade Plain Yogurt & Maple Cluster Granola
- Ginger Peach Muffins
- {No-Bake} Peaches & Cream Chilled Dessert
- Peach Vanilla Bean Jam
Peppers
- Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos (Jalapeno Poppers)
Prunes/Plums
Tomatoes
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You’ve heard of Michael Pollan’s books. They are a thorough, thoughtful look at the food we eat. One of my favorites is
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Took my 5 kiddos to pick free blackberries. We picked about 10 lbs altogether!! I was able to put up 14 pint jars of freezer jam for winter. Woo Hoo!!!!!!
It is wise not to pick blackberries that are next to the road. Most of them are polluted with gas and oil that washes in with any rain. Uphill from the road or a greenbelt or yard are healthier choices.
Hello Emily, was wondering where you get your fruit here in Portland? I would love to buy local and get reasonable prices. I did see two options on thread Chucks and Root Orchards.
I pick at different fields in the area, but I’ll email you another great option for fruit delivery in the Portland area!
Just got home from picking blueberries, cherries and peaches.
Hi Candi
Where did you pick peaches?
This week (June 29 – July4 ) Chuck’s Produce has Local Full Flats of Blueberries for $19.99! (Reg.$29.99)
Also:
Rainier Cherries- $2.99 lb.
Local Red Delicious Apples- .59 lb.
Local Washington Apricots- .99 lb
Walla Walla Onions- .48 lb
85% Lean Grass fed Ground Beef- $3.99 lb.
Susan 🙂
I took my two granddaughters down the gorge to pick cherries – had an awesome day. It rained today here in Vancouver, but in Mosier it was overcast and dry. The mountains were gorgeous and the kids got to run around the trees. The u-pick cherries were $1/lb for Bing and 1.50 for Rainier, although those were not quite as ripe as the Bings. The trees were loaded and so easy to pick! I think I will go back next week (after I freeze what I got today).
Hi PJ, can you tell me the name of the farm? I have some family visiting and I would love to share that experience with them!
Hi Adriana! It’s Root Orchards, there’s a website under their name with directions. I’m going tomorrow and taking my daughter and her new boyfriend who just moved here from Oklahoma City. He’s amazed about all our bridges and I can’t wait to see the look on his face on seeing the gorge and spending time there, that’s worth more than the cherries!
Thank you! Enjoy the sun!
FM has 18-oz blueberries for $3.48 till Sat. Cherries seem to be late and expensive this year; I hope the price comes down before they’re gone.
What was the running event? It sounds cool! A relay? Running is wonderful this time of year when you can depend on warm, dry weather. And, such beautiful things to look at! :o) ~Sharon
It’s called the Epic Relay. It lived up to its name; I had a blast. Such a cool event and amazing country! http://epicrelays.com/oregon-relay/
Does anybody know farm that sale organic apricot ? Thanks
Not sure where you live, Mia, but I will send you a message with one option.
I’m in Vancouver. I’ll drive for organic fresh apricot 🙂 THANKS Emily 🙂
Chuck’s Produce has local, fresh raspberries for $9.99 1/2 flat (6- 1/2 pint baskets) It was just enough crushed (exactly- 6 cups) for the cooked jam recipe in the MCP pectin box – makes 10 cups!
I wish Chuck’s would open a location in Oregon! That’s a great price.