What Canned Goods Do You Buy in the Summertime?

It might seem perverse to talk about canned vegetables and other preserved goods in the summertime; after all, aren’t we surrounded by vegetables bursting from gardens and farmers market? But I find myself relying on a well-stocked pantry in the summer; I don’t want to take the time (or heat up the kitchen) to cook beans or lentils, and so I turned to canned varieties.

What about you? What canned goods do you buy in the summer, and do you have any favorite brands?

In the summertime I love a quick lunch made from a can of beans, some avocado, and a few other tasty mix-ins. Here’s the one pictured above:

→ The Can O’ Beans Lunch: Avocado-Lime Black Beans

Michaela’s recipe for Chilled Black Bean, Feta & Cucumber Salad that we posted yesterday reminded me of this, and how handy canned beans can be in the summer.

I also turn to boxed chicken and vegetable broth a lot; while I love the luxury of my own homemade turkey and chicken stocks, I don’t have it on hand as much in the summertime.

What about you? Are there canned, frozen, or boxed goods that you find really help your summer cooking? We’d love to know all your little shortcuts.