Sauces of Summer

By far, the best part of summer is the abundance of fresh, local produce. Here in our part of the world, this is something to be treasured as it only happens for a short window during the year. While we celebrate this bounty with picnics, barbecues and potlucks, we often turn these local gems into less-than-stellar dishes, and even decrease their healthfulness by adding lackluster, sugar- and preservative-laden condiments.

Enter the essential sauces of summer.

Much of our local produce can be enhanced and even made healthier if you simply add the right sauce. Whether for brightness, creaminess, spiciness or probiotics, homemade sauces and spreads can be far superior, both in taste and ingredient quality, to commercial versions found in stores. Plus, store-bought condiments are not usually made with locally sourced ingredients.

Here are four sauces I think are a must-have all summer long. These can be made with almost all local ingredients this time of year and will boost any dish you bring to a cookout this summer. Party on.