The Best Of Summer Flavors

Summer is a multitude of flavors and textures. Even though the season is winding down you can still have a juicy barbecue or delicious veggie or fruit based dish.This was the subject of today's New York Times Dining section. Instead of one big article there are several small ones written by regulars,Julia Moskin, Jeff Gordinier, Sam Sifton and Kim Severson. A new writer,Ligaya Mishan also has a great mini article on the subject.

Luckily the farms and even home gardens have some bounties left. Julia Moskin writes about that tasty treat, conr fritters made with niblets fresh from the cob.Hers is one that is more pancake than fritter but still has crunch and texture. She serves them with maple syrup but I think a freshly made salsa would be better. Kim Severson contributes as Southern field pea salad.It combines blackeyed peas alone with fresh Vidalia onions, sweet corn and tomatoes. She adds a dressing made with Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar. Sam Sifton offers a grilled flank steak, perfect with these two dishes It is a teriyaki style, one that can be barbecued well past Labor Day and into the fall.

Of course summer also includes fruits and there are some great recipes concerning them. Sam Sifton brings his mom's blackberry cobbler to this table. This is the perfect dessert for any meal, with tart berries and lumps of sugary dough pressed over them. The dough recipe is a scratch one ,made from flour and sugar . The entire dish is easily made first in a skillet then baked in an oven. for a more exotic treat try Ligaya Mishan's grilled peach recipe. This takes an exotic turn by sprinkling the Egyptian spice mix called dukkah. This is an easily made blend of spices, seeds and herbs and gives backyard peaches a rare , mysterious flavor, redolent of faraway spice markets. For a twist add yogurt as a side.

The summer is winding down however there's still time to take advantage of it' bounty and flavors. Try what these food writers offer or do your own spins. There is enough out yet to create delicious warm weather meals and desserts .