Daily Dish the Sonoma Market blog
Foodie FAQs: Summer Produce
Seasonal produce is one of our favorite things about summer, especially local and California-grown fruits and vegetables! Get some kernels of wisdom and other fun facts about your favorite summer produce fresh from our Produce pros.
Seasonal produce is one of our favorite things about summer, especially local and California-grown fruits and vegetables! Get some kernels of wisdom and other fun facts about your favorite summer produce fresh from our Produce pros.
Tomatoes:
- How do I pick out the best tomatoes? They should be heavy for their size, aromatic, and give slightly to the touch. Roma tomatoes should be bright in color.
- How should I store tomatoes? Store tomatoes stem-side down at room temperature (not in the fridge!).
- What are some tasty ways to use tomatoes? Along with slicing for salads or sandwiches, tomatoes also make great marinades, pasta sauce, and caprese.
- What types of tomatoes does Nugget Market carry? During the summer, we offer tons of tantalizing tomatoes including dry-farmed organic Early Girl tomatoes. We also have organic heirloom tomatoes like Marvel Stripes, Brandywines, Cherokee Purples, Jubilee Golds, Zebra, Vintage Wine, Costoluto, and cherry tomatoes, all grown locally by Full Belly Farm in Capay Valley!
Peppers:
- How do I pick out the perfect peppers? From big, old bells to itty, bitty chilies, look for peppers that are firm with shiny skin and a fresh stem.
- How should I store them? Keep your peppers crisp and fresh by stowing them in the produce drawer in your fridge.
- What sorts of peppers does Nugget Market carry? Our friends at Full Belly Farm keep us stocked during the summer with organic, locally grown peppers aplenty! Some of our favorites include Italian frying peppers like Jimmy Nardellos and Gold and Red Cornitos along with smoky Shishitos, petite snacking Lunch Box peppers, and sweet, stuffable Pimentos.
- Any tasty tips for cooking? Shishitos and Italian frying varieties do great with a quick sauté, while sweeter specimens can be eaten raw as snacks or in salads.
Corn:
- How do I pick out the best corn? Look for dry, clean silk. Peel back the husk a little to see if the cob is full of plump, undamaged kernels.
- How should I store it? You can store corn still in its husk loose in the fridge or shucked and wrapped in plastic or a plastic bag. Eat within two days of purchase.
- Where is your corn born? At the peak of the season, our summer corn comes from California farms in Brentwood and West Sacramento.
- What’s the secret to perfectly grilled corn? Grill the corn first—don’t use too much oil or fat as it can cause flare-ups—then coat or toss with your favorite seasonings.
Watermelon:
- How do I know if a watermelon is ripe? It should be firm and heavy for its size. The spot where it rested on the ground should be a creamy yellow.
- How should I store it? Watermelons should be stored in a warm, dry place. Refrigerating has the potential to make them mushy.
- Are all watermelons the same? Not by a long shot! We offer everything from mini to mega melons, along with special varieties like locally grown Black Watermelons fresh from Vierra Farms in West Sacramento!
- Any other fun facts? Wild watermelons originated in South Africa, and they’re members of the cucumber, pumpkin, and squash family!
Stone Fruit:
- How do I pick out the best stone fruit? Stone fruit should be aromatic and plump when ripe, with slight give to the touch and no major bug damage or bruises.
- How should I store it? Ripe stone fruit can be stored in the fridge for about a week. Store unripe stone fruit at room temperature out of the sunlight. Only freeze if it’s going to be cooked or pureed when thawed.
- Where are your stone fruits from? We partner with Moonlight in the San Joaquin Valley to share fresh and juicy California-grown peaches and nectarines with our guests during the summer months.
- Can I cook with stone fruit? You bet! Try using ripe (or overripe) stone fruit in sweet baked goods, homemade jam or jelly, smoothies, and even savory poultry or pork dishes.
Visit your local Nugget Market to find these local and California-grown fruits and veggies, along with a bounty of other deliciously fresh produce!
Selection may vary by store and season.
Article originally published in June of 2019 and updated in August of 2026.
