Recipe Roundup: Savoring Summer Fruit

August’s bittersweet final days may be upon us, but our CSA boxes and farmers’ market totes still overflow with succulent summer fruit. A few weeks ago, we shared our ultimate guide to fruit desserts, but we know you can’t subsist on sweets alone. To help you revel in the season’s delights without overdosing on cobblers, crisps, and other sugary treats, we’ve compiled a roundup of savory fruit recipes, from chilled soups to crisp salads and gooey sandwiches.

Alaskan Dungeness Crab Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Melon
Herbaceous lemon verbena and sweet melon lend a subtle elegance to this simple, refreshing crab salad. 

Bay Scallop Ceviche with Watermelon and Black Sesame
This summery scallop ceviche is packed with refreshing watermelon and citrus—perfect for when it's too hot to turn on the stove.

Chilled Watermelon Soup with Mint and Ginger
Carla Pellegrino served this delicate soup as a palate cleanser at the Beard House, but we like making larger servings to enjoy on hot summer evenings.

Cooling Salad with Strawberry Dressing
Strawberries and balsamic vinegar are a great match—try pairing them in a vinaigrette to dress up a simple summer salad.

Grilled Texas Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Pickled Peaches
Decadent, peach-spiked grilled cheese sandwiches are perfect eaten whole for lunch, or cut into quarters as a whimsical hors d’oeuvre.

Honeydew Soup
The technique for this delicious, effortless soup can be used with any ripe, fleshy fruit, including cantaloupes, watermelon, peaches, and nectarines.

Peach Salad with Maytag Blue Cheese, Raisins, and Pecans
A peach-scented vinaigrette adds extra fruit-forward flair to this hearty salad.

Pork and Watermelon Salad
Created by wunderkind Zak Pelaccio, this dish balances rich, braised pork belly with vibrant, crisp watermelon for a refreshing summer salad. 

Roasted Beet and Pickled Rhubarb Salad with Gorgonzola
Pickled rhubarb matchsticks add a touch of tartness to this roasted beet salad. 

Spicy Grilled Octopus and Watermelon Skewers
These Asian-leaning appetizers are a great start to a summer dinner party.

Warm Duck Breast Salad with Blackberries
This sweet-and-savory salad pairs rich duck meat with tart blackberries for a beautifully balanced treat.

Watermelon Soup and Jumbo Lump Crab Salad
With a brilliant hue and light yet complex flavors, this seafood-accented soup is perfect for the last days of summer.

Elena North-Kelly is senior editor at the James Beard Foundation. Find her on Twitter and Instagram.