With the arrival of summer, cooking becomes lighter, more colorful, and opens up to new flavors. If you’re thinking of making a pinsa, for example, it’s the perfect time to experiment with seasonal ingredients that best express the essence of summer.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the flavors to bring to the table during this season. The goal? To give you concrete inspiration to create tasty, balanced combinations that are perfectly in tune with what nature offers in the summer.
Why a pinsa with seasonal ingredients?
Cooking with seasonal ingredients is not only a sustainable choice, but also a way to rediscover the joy of simplicity. When fruit and vegetables are harvested at the right time, they are richer in flavor, more fragrant, and need very little (or no) processing to express their full potential.
Following seasonality also means bringing local, often zero-mile products to the table, supporting small producers and reducing the environmental impact of your shopping. But there’s more: each month has its own stars and invites us to vary, experiment, and be inspired. After all, this is also part of the joy of cooking, not to mention that it’s a creative approach that makes every dish a small, unique, and unrepeatable personal project.
Pinsa is ideal for enhancing the flavor of seasonal ingredients. Its lightness pairs perfectly with fresh toppings, creating a dish that is well-balanced and never heavy. Plus, pinsa lends itself to multiple combinations, allowing for new and original pairings. And we want to share a few ideas with you.
Seasonal foods: welcome, summer
Summer brings with it an explosion of colors, scents, and flavors. Markets are filled with super fresh fruits and vegetables that not only delight the palate but also help us stay light and hydrated. Eating seasonally means making the most of what nature offers at its best. But what are the must-have ingredients in your summer kitchen?
- Tomatoes. A summer classic—juicy and flavorful, perfect raw in salads, sauces, or as a topping for fresh dishes.
- Zucchini. Light, sweet, and ideal for grilling, stuffing, or cold soups.
- Eggplants. Another summer peak vegetable. Grilled or in salads, they’re always a hit.
- Peaches. Juicy and sweet, great eaten as they are, in fruit salads, or even in savory dishes alongside cheese.
- Cherries. A typical summer fruit, perfect for desserts, but also to add a sweet note to savory dishes like salads and bruschettas.
- Green beans. Fresh and crunchy, perfect in salads, as a side dish or in one-pot meals.
- Basil. The king of summer herbs, perfect for seasoning fresh dishes and adding an intense aroma to sauces and dressings.
5 pinsa ideas for a summer of freshness and flavor
When talking about summer pinsa, freshness and lightness are definitely the main features—but we can’t forget practicality: summer is full of long days and moments to enjoy outdoors, without spending hours in the kitchen. The recipes we’ve selected combine great taste with quick prep times and are perfect for anyone wanting a delicious dish without giving up on seasonal freshness.
Each idea we propose is designed to be completed in the 5 minutes it takes to finish cooking the pinsa. The other ingredients usually don’t even need cooking, allowing you to enjoy their pure flavors without complications.
Pinsa with cherry tomatoes, burrata and basil
A timeless classic that never fails to impress. Fresh cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata, and fresh basil leaves make the perfect trio for a light and tasty pinsa. Add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt to enhance those summer flavors.
Pinsa with grilled eggplants, buffalo mozzarella and mint
The sweetness of grilled eggplants pairs with the freshness of buffalo mozzarella and the scent of mint. It’s a combo that recalls Mediterranean flavors, perfect for a light yet flavorful dinner.
Pinsa with peaches, prosciutto and arugula
This is the boldest option on the list, but also the most intriguing. Its strength lies in the harmonious meeting of sweet and savory, creating a fresh and light balance. Ripe peaches offer natural sweetness, complemented by the saltiness of prosciutto and the bold character of arugula.
Pinsa with grilled zucchini, fresh ricotta and sunflower seeds
Grilled zucchini—light and flavorful—pair beautifully with fresh ricotta for a delicate yet characterful dish. Sunflower seeds add a nice crunch, and the whole thing can be finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a bit of black pepper for an extra touch.
Pinsa with summer fruit, honey and Greek yogurt
An explosion of fresh fruit for a sweet and refreshing pinsa. Use a mix of seasonal fruit like peaches, apricots, strawberries, and blueberries, which pair wonderfully with the creaminess of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey (just a touch!) for added sweetness. The combo of fresh fruit and yogurt makes it a light and nourishing dish—perfect for a summer snack or a low-effort dessert.
Now that you have some inspiration, feel free to mix and match your own favorite combinations—maybe even with a personal creative twist!
