What’s on the Menu in Quebec Today?
Find out your favorite summer food!
It’s nearly end of-summer, the sun is shining… and back-to-school is right around the corner (sorry for the reminder!). Between summer plans and prepping for the upcoming semester, your student budget can get super tight.
The good news? Summer means peak harvest season! Supermarket shelves and local markets are bursting with local, ultra-fresh, delicious produce—and best of all, it’s kind of cheap.
Here’s what you’ll want on your plate (and in your fridge) today!
Season Stars for Your Grocery Basket
When food is harvested right down the road at peak season, shipping costs plummet and supply skyrockets. The result? The price per kilo drops big time. Take advantage and stock up on these local staples:
- Sweet Corn: The undisputed king of Quebec summer! At just a few cents a cob, it’s the cheapest snack or side dish.
- Juicy Tomatoes: Forget those bland winter tomatoes—right now, they actually taste like real tomatoes. Buy them in bulk for salads or batch-cooking homemade sauces.
- Zucchini & Cucumbers: These grow insanely fast in August! Your best bet for maximum freshness on a budget.
- Local Fruit (Plums, Blueberries, Raspberries): Perfect for topping your morning yogurt or satisfying a late-afternoon sweet craving without resorting to pricey, ultra-processed snacks.
Plums are packed with fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, plus natural antioxidants that boost immunity and keep you healthy. Did you know Quebec even has its own native plum variety called the “Mont-Royal”? 😋
Two Cheap & Fresh Recipes to Try This Week
Turn your market finds into quick, delicious summer meals:
🌽 Inspired Three Sisters Salad
Cook 2 or 3 cobs of corn (or use canned corn if you’re in a rush), strip the kernels, and toss with diced fresh tomatoes, a rinsed can of black beans, and a drizzle of olive oil. Season to taste!
A delicious "Three Sisters Salad", quick and so good!
🫐 Fresh Local Berry Salad
Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries… mix ’em all together for a bright, colorful summer fruit bowl! Pro tip: make it a "fridge-clearing" recipe by tossing in whatever fruits you already have in your fridge or freezer.
A “for everyone” fruit salad—something to please every palate!
Pro Budget Hack: Strategic Freezing
Scored a sweet deal on blueberries or tomatoes this weekend? Buy extra to freeze for later!
- For Berries: Wash them, dry thoroughly, and spread them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once frozen, transfer to a reusable bag. Boom: summer fruit for your smoothies all through fall and winter!
- For Tomatoes: Dice them up and throw them straight into freezer bags or containers. They’ll be ready to toss into chilis, soups, or pasta sauces mid-semester.
TL;DR: Eat local, spend less!
Eating what’s in season in Quebec is the easiest way to protect your wallet while enjoying delicious food. Your turn to cook!