Vegetables don't have to be the stuff that goes furry at the bottom of your fridge. We've got five delicious ideas for in-season legumes
AUBERGINE AND PESTO
Cut two aubergines lengthways into four steaks. Criss-cross the fleshy side, drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice and season. Work pesto into the aubergine flesh. Cook on a griddle, cut-side up, for five minutes, then on other side for five minutes. Serve with rocket, parmesan, extra pesto and flatbreads. From The Weekend Cookbook by Catherine Hill (Michael Joseph, £18.99)
BAKED COURGETTES
Halve two courgettes lengthwise and place in an ovenproof dish with olive oil, four smashed garlic cloves, 10 sprigs thyme, chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Squeeze over the juice of one lemon, cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes at 200C. Put on a plate and scatter with mint. Top with Greek yoghurt. From Miles Kirby, head chef, Caravan King’s Cross (opens August).
RADISHES WITH BUTTER AND SALT
The perfect snack, starter or side dish, 400g of really fresh radishes serves 4 people. Smear a little unsalted butter on the end of a radish, and then sprinkle with the tiniest pinch of flaky sea salt before popping into your mouth. From River Cottage Veg Everyday! By Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (Bloomsbury, £25)
BEETROOT POTATO CAKES
Cook 200g grated beetroot over a low heat in a covered pan with a knob of butter, one tbsp wine vinegar and seasoning for 10 minutes. Mix with an equal amount of mashed potato, two fried, diced onions, one tbsp soured cream and one tsp creamed horseradish. Let cool. Shape into cakes, dust with flour and fry in butter until golden. From Riverford Organic Farms
CRUNCHY TURNIP BAKE
Rub a baking dish with 25g butter. Slice 450g potatoes, one clove of garlic and 450g turnips. Put half the turnips and potatoes in a bowl and add one tbsp fresh thyme, garlic and seasoning. Heat 500ml double cream with one bay leaf. Layer vegetables in dish and top with the remaining turnips and potatoes. Pour over the cream. Bake in 200C oven for 50 minutes. From turniprecipes.co.uk
