Local shops and supermarket shelves are stacked with prime summer produce. Piles of fragrant, sun-ripened tomatoes, crisp sweetcorn, freshly picked French beans. It’s the perfect time for Nigel Slater’s burrata with peas and basil, Richard Olney’s bagna cauda, or Yasmin Khan’s moussaka. From Malaysia to northern Spain, Australia to the US, we have scoured the world for vegetable recipes. We devoured the best books. Whether you make Simon Hopkinson’s classic lettuce, cress and egg salad or bake Claire Ptak’s definitive carrot cake, savour this collection. Literal summer on a plate. Nigel Slater’s burrata and peas The simplest of lunch or supper dishes, ready in a few minutes Caponata by Jacob Kenedy A versatile Sicilian stew with many variations – and a handy way to use up leftover veg Sweetcorn, rosemary and smoked cheddar soufflé by Gill Meller In the 1970s, soufflés were everywhere – now they are a rare beast. Time to celebrate them again Courgette, sweetcorn and chermoula by Helen Graham A celebration of two summer stars, given a north African twist Chilled summer garden soup with nasturtium pesto by Anna Hedworth Gather the ingredients, season, blitz and serve – couldn’t be simpler Chilled summer garden soup with nasturtium pesto. Chilled summer garden soup with nasturtium pesto. Photograph: Anna Hedworth Bagna cauda – raw vegetables with hot anchovy dip by Richard Olney A great party canapé, if a little messy, so best eaten outside Bagna cauda – raw vegetables with hot anchovy dip. Bagna cauda – raw vegetables with hot anchovy dip. Photograph: Kate Whitaker Yotam Ottolenghi’s oven chips with oregano and feta An elegant Aussie twist on the humble chip, baked to perfection Oven chips with oregano and feta. Oven chips with oregano and feta. Photograph: Jonathan Lovekin Roast chicken with sweet-and-sour cucumber salad by Trine Hahnemann A Danish seasonal classic with the salad staple as star – just like grandmother used to make Roast chicken with sweet-and-sour cucumber salad. Roast chicken with sweet-and-sour cucumber salad. Photograph: Kate Whitaker Hangzhou aubergines – rou mo qie zi by Fuchsia Dunlop Flavoursome home cooking, Chinese style – serve with or without meat Hangzhou aubergines. Hangzhou aubergines. Photograph: Chris Terry Gado gado – Malaysian peanut salad by Elizabeth Haigh The peanut goes centre-stage in this classic south-east Asian dish Gado gado – Malaysian peanut salad. Gado gado – Malaysian peanut salad. Photograph: Kris Kirkham Rotolo di spinaci by Ruth Rogers An Italian treat for a perfect seasonal lunch or dinner Rotolo di spinaci. Rotolo di spinaci. Photograph: Matthew Donaldson Dry-fried French beans with minced pork by Andrew Wong A zingy way to cook and eat the humble bean – just don’t shrivel the skin too much Dry-fried French beans with minced pork. Dry-fried French beans with minced pork. Photograph: Kate Whitaker Simon Hopkinson’s lettuce salad with eggs, mustard cress and a creamed dressing Dressed green leaves and sunny egg yolks conjure up the lightest summer dish Lettuce salad with eggs, mustard cress and a creamed dressing. Lettuce salad with eggs, mustard cress and a creamed dressing. Photograph: Kate Whitaker Beetroot and feta galette with za’atar and honey by Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley Complementary ingredients swaddled in flaky pastry make for a heavenly seasonal tart Beetroot and feta galette with za’atar and honey. Beetroot and feta galette with za’atar and honey. Photograph: Jenny Zarins Yasmin Khan’s vegetable moussaka A classic dish (minus the meat) that brings back memories of a holiday in Cyprus Vegetable moussaka. Vegetable moussaka. Photograph: Matt Russell Broad bean, dill and tomato salad by Georgina Hayden A Greek-style seasonal salad – just like yiayia used to make Broad bean, dill and tomato salad. Broad bean, dill and tomato salad. Photograph: Kate Whitaker Nigel Slater’s baked sea bass, courgette and spinach stuffing Served whole, this fish dish makes an elegant centrepiece at dinner Baked sea bass, courgette and spinach stuffing. Baked sea bass, courgette and spinach stuffing. Photograph: Jonathan Lovekin/The Observer Sweet or tangy potato salad by Marie Mitchell This works well for a picnic lunch or as a side with a main meal Sweet or tangy potato salad. Sweet or tangy potato salad. Photograph: Kate Whitaker Swiss chard sandwich by Nieves Barragán Mohacho An old Spanish recipe takes the humble sandwich and makes it something really special Swiss chard sandwich. Swiss chard sandwich. Photograph: Kate Whitaker Carrot cake by Claire Ptak A supercharged recipe for this sweet, ever-popular classic