August Vegetables 2026
Hot August nights are a time for classic car parades, rock concerts, and Hatch Chile Season. Of course, none of these summer activities are complete without tasty eats made with fresh produce and recipe ideas from Melissa’s. Enjoy the season and stay safe and healthy!
AVOCADO TOAST SEASONING
A new member of our condiment line, this savory blend includes tomato and sweet red pepper. Although created for avocado toast, you'll find endless additional uses. Amp up eggs, ramen, and grain bowls; add crunch to lunchtime salads and sammies, season roasted sweet potatoes, Hatch chile verde, and mixed vegetables. Available year-round. Product of USA.
NEW CROP! ELEPHANT GARLIC
Milder than traditional garlic and a member of the leek family, Elephant Garlic has the classic aroma of garlic with a mellow flavor and less bite. It's fabulous roasted until soft when tightly wrapped in foil with a generous drizzle of olive or avocado oil. Serve whole roasted cloves as an impressive condiment with barbecue favorites, crackers, soft cheeses, or blend into homemade dressings and dips. Available now through May. Product of USA.
NEW CROP! HATCH PEPPERS AND SPECIALTY ITEMS
You know it's August when the aroma of roasted Hatch chiles fills the air. It's also time to stock up on specialty foods from Hatch Country, from ready-to-use sauces and salsa to delicious snacks inspired by the addictive flavor of authentic Hatch Peppers.
RISTRAS: Available at melissas.com, these hand-tied braids of authentic Hatch Chiles are symbols of hospitality and good luck while also serving as a functional ingredient for your favorite homemade (or downloaded!) red chile sauce. Melissa's Ristras are food-grade and contain no shellac. Available while supplies last. Product of New Mexico.
READY-TO-USE CHUNKY CHILE SAUCE - RED, GREEN, OR COMBINATION: Flavorful, authentic, and ready to use in braised or grilled pork, beef, plant-based proteins, stews, chili, enchiladas, casseroles, and more. Product of New Mexico. Limited availability.
HATCH NUTS - PECAN MIX: Hatch Pecans are out of this world! Enjoy four delicious pecan varieties dusted with Red or Green Hatch Pepper Powder or coated in yogurt or chocolate. They make wonderful birthday gifts, beach-party treats, or simply great snacks. Product of USA.
HATCH CASHEWS: If you're a true cashew lover, try our Hatch Pepper-dusted Sweet Cashews. This 4.5-ounce container is meant for sharing, but we won't tell if you keep it all to yourself!
RED HATCH PISTACHIOS: Pistachios continue to trend, and these Red Hatch Pepper-dusted Pistachios bring the perfect amount of heat.
YOGURT-COATED OR DARK CHOCOLATE-COATED PECANS: A decadent treat that's perfect for gifting, entertaining, or indulging yourself. Available year-round. Product of USA, New Mexico.
HATCH CLEAN SNAX®: Melissa's Clean Snax® have been a customer favorite for years, and Hatch Clean Snax® consistently sells out every season. This flavorful blend combines flax, sesame, and chia seeds with nuts, ground Hatch Pepper, cane sugar, and rice syrup. Shelf stable. Product of USA.
HATCH SALSAS: Are you Green or Red? That's the classic question throughout Hatch Country. No matter which you choose, you're sure to become a fan. Melissa's Hatch Pepper Taqueria Salsa is a refrigerated, spoonable red salsa featuring the smoky heat of guajillo and chile de árbol peppers in a tomatillo base. Its sister, Melissa's Hatch Pepper Avocado Salsa, is a milder blend of avocado, tomatillos, serrano peppers, and spices. For everyday use, keep Hatch Hot Sauce Green on the table for its tangy green chile flavor or Hatch Hot Sauce Red for a mellow balance of tomato and Hatch heat.
HATCH POPCORN: Now made with avocado oil, Melissa's Hatch Popcorn is available in spicy and cheesy varieties. It's wonderfully addictive and makes a fun garnish for cocktails, brownies, cakes, homemade trail mix, mixed nuts, chocolate treats, and dried fruit blends. Most abundant during Hatch Season. Product of USA.
CONDIMENTS
Condiments have been enhancing foods for centuries by adding flavor, moisture, texture, color, and depth. If you haven't tried Melissa's growing line of condiments, now is the perfect time.
KIMCHI: Delicious on everything from hot dogs and steak to breakfast eggs and Hatch machaca. Available in Mild or Hot. Mild is sugar-free! Product of USA. Available year-round.
HOLLANDAISE SAUCE: One of Melissa's most popular sauces for elevating vegetables, proteins, and sandwiches. Much faster than making your own, this shelf-stable version contains no preservatives. Wonderful on asparagus, broccolini, Eggs Benedict, bacon-tomato-avocado sandwiches, salmon, or grilled tofu with a splash of Tabasco. Available year-round. Product of France.
ASIAN VEGETABLES
While many Americans still think of these vegetables as "ethnic," fusion cuisine and today's culinary trends have made them everyday ingredients that add exciting flavors and textures to familiar recipes.
CHINESE LONG BEANS: As the name suggests, these beans can grow 18 to 24 inches long! With a slightly firmer texture than traditional green beans, they are delicious sautéed, roasted, or boiled. Pair them with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto, toasted nuts, rice dishes, roasted bell peppers, Cipollini onions, and either plant-based or traditional bacon. Product of Mexico. Available year-round.
GAI LAN (CHINESE BROCCOLI): This elegant member of the broccoli family features long, sturdy stems topped with delicate florets, often accompanied by blossoms. Gai Lan offers a mildly sweet broccoli-rapini flavor that shines in stir-fries with oyster sauce but is equally delicious blanched or steamed and added to pasta, grains, soups, and salads.
SNO PEAS: Sweet, crisp, and crunchy, Sno Peas are favorites in stir-fries as well as grazing boards. Wash thoroughly, trim the stem end, and remove the thin string along the edge before serving. Refrigerate unwashed in a plastic bag for up to one week. Do not freeze. Product of Mexico or USA.
GOBO (BURDOCK ROOT): This long, slender root resembles a horsewhip with its brown skin. Rich in inulin, fiber, calcium, Vitamin C, and other nutrients, burdock root supports digestive and bone health. Peel and grate or julienne before serving raw or braised. It is beautifully paired with soy sauce, bamboo shoots, jicama, carrots, green beans, and mushrooms, and is also enjoyed as a digestive tea. Select firm roots free of cuts or shriveling. Available year-round. Product of Taiwan.
LEMONGRASS: This aromatic herb has delicate lemon and mint notes and is widely used in teas, aromatherapy, curries, and soups. It's also fun to split lengthwise, soak in water, and use as fragrant skewers for grilled seafood. Available year-round. Product of USA.
LONG SWEET PEPPERS
Looking for something beyond traditional bell peppers? Melissa's Long Sweet Peppers are crisp and sweet when raw and outstanding grilled or roasted alongside carne asada, tucked into sandwiches, stuffed with seafood or Confetti Quinoa, puréed into sauces, or pickled with pearl onions, carrots, and green beans. Their vibrant red, orange, and yellow colors make them as beautiful as they are delicious. Available now through October. Product of Mexico.
ORGANIC VEGGIES ARE PLENTIFUL THIS TIME OF YEAR
Melissa's USDA Certified Organic fruits and vegetables are grown under stringent standards to ensure exceptional quality and purity. Convenient grab-and-go packaging makes them ideal for meals and snacking.
ORGANIC BRUSSELS SPROUTS: Nutty and satisfying, they're delicious steamed and skewered for the grill, oven roasted, served raw, pickled like cabbage, or tossed with browned butter, balsamic vinegar, bacon, or toasted pine nuts.
ORGANIC YELLOW AND GREEN SQUASH: Perfect for kabobs, sliced raw on crudité platters, or shredded with sweet potatoes to make crispy hash browns or summer latkes. Don't forget Melissa's Hatch Salsa or Hollandaise Sauce for extra flavor.
ORGANIC MINI CUCUMBERS: These petite cucumbers have tender edible skin, tiny seeds, and a subtle hint of lemon. Slice, chop, or spear them for salads, cocktails, tzatziki, or crudité platters.
