I typed those words shortly before the grey morning sky dimmed and a powerful wind storm howled in, tossing pine branches against the house, scattering debris across the yard, and knocking out power for the rest of the day. The trees have begun to change color, the air outside noticeably chillier, and I’m feeling like calendar be damned, maybe Summer is over, at least for our corner of the Pacific Northwest.

Nonetheless, we’re still enjoying the tail-end of Summer produce – sweet corn and figs, melons and berries, late-season tomatoes and peppers from the garden, and so many peaches and plums and nectarines – so I’m sneaking in one last warm-weather staple before apples and pumpkin spice and cozy soups elbow their way in.

Summer is the season I do my best to avoid cooking, at least in a formal way, tossing out written recipes in favor of big, kitchen-sink salads with whatever vibrant, flavorful veggies we’ve harvested from the garden or hoarded from the farmer’s market. Simple grilled proteins with more veggies. Piles of fruit and berries – I think I’ve consumed my weight in berries over the past few months, eaten raw by the handful or roasted under quick crumble toppings.

This berry watermelon fruit salad is exactly the sort of non recipe I make over and over again, all Summer long. Peak season fruit doesn’t need a whole lot (or often anything) to be spectacular – in this case just a light squeeze of fresh lime juice and a quick toss together before being eaten with a big spoon, preferably al fresco…

Happy September! Are you excited Autumn is on its way? Or is it still sweltering where you are? We have some catching up to do!