The rumor on the street is that some Trader Joe’s stores are already getting pumpkin items in (EEK!), so I figured it’s time to do a Summer 2022 recap! We’ve enjoyed a bunch of new summery treats over the last few months, so let’s do a quick recap before we go full on fall over here!
Let’s start with savory…
I’m usually not drawn to pre-made meals, but every once in awhile something catches my eye. I bought these Organic Caprese Ravioli ($4.49) to have as an easy dinner when Gary was out of town, and they did not disappoint at all! The flavor was light and fresh, but they were surprisingly filling. All I did was drizzle a bit of olive oil and sprinkle a bit of parmesan cheese on them. I also tried a chicken ravioli last month (and subsequently forgot to take a photo), but I genuinely thought that the caprese ones had a better flavor!
Everyone has a favorite style of french fries, right? Mine are criss-cut fries, so I was so excited to see these Seasoned Waffle Cut Fries ($3.49) in the freezer section! We enjoyed having them as a fun summery side with burgers for a few nights last week. The seasoning on these was absolutely delicious — smoky and salty with just a touch of heat. I do wish that they got a bit crispier in the oven, but I’m guessing that those of you with air fryers won’t have that issue at all.
Hi, my name is Jennifer and I love guacamole. A lot. Too much. To the point where I’ll eat way to much of it at once to avoid the container going brown. Well, these Avocado’s Number Guacamoles to Go ($3.99) have been a complete game changer for us. They’re the perfect portion size to go with a quick lunch quesadilla, or if we just want a snack with some tortilla chips. They’re obviously portable and great for taking to work for yummy lunches.
Rounding out the savory summer category, we have these Salsa Verde Tortilla Chips ($2.99). Holy cow, these might be my all time favorite chips from Trader Joe’s. They have a seasoning powder on them that has the same consistency as Doritos seasoning, which means that it doesn’t all fall to the bottom of the bag. Yay! They’re limey, salty, and absolutely full of flavor. They’re great with guacamole, but more often times than not, I just eat them plain! If you see these in your store, be sure to get multiple bags…they’re on their way out for the season already!
Now for the sweets…
I’ve thoroughly documented my love affair with Trader Joe’s Wildberry Cheesecake Ice Cream, so I was intrigued by another summer flavor! This Horchata Inspired Ice Cream ($3.49) is pretty darn good! It truly reminds me of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in ice cream form. It’s not overly sweet, it has a nice texture with the crunchy rice pieces, and I’d call it an all around win! But, for the record, I’d still choose Wildberry Cheesecake over it š
I’m officially the crazy person who calls Trader Joe’s at 7AM to ask if new shipments have arrived. Sometimes it’s the only way to get ahold of popular new items!! So, this review slightly pains me, given the effort it took to get these Out of This World Ice Pops ($2.99) – several phone calls, and several trips to the store! I even took a photo of them in my car to text so some friends who live out of state. They’re adorable, no doubt about it. I was super excited for strawberry, blueberry, and lemon flavors, but the very tart lemon was too overpowering for me. I definitely won’t go through the same lengths to get these next year!
These Mini Cheesecake Cones ($3.99) came back for the season, and I finally tried them! Well…I hate to say that this was another disappointment for me. The almond florentine cones were extremely sticky, and the filling wasn’t very flavorful. I guess I’m more of a basic cheesecake kind of girl! Needless to say, I’ll be passing on these moving forward.
I love when Trader Joe’s comes out with festive and seasonal mousse cakes. They’re the perfect little dessert, and they’re always so cute! Unfortunately, these Citrus Mousse Cakes ($3.49) were also a bit of a miss for me. The orange ones had an artificial creamsicle flavor which wasn’t my favorite. The lemon ones were slightly better, but honestly nothing to rave about. Sigh…more of a reason to look forward to fall and winter treats at TJ’s!
And a fun bonus item!
Alright, I know that this is called “Trader Joe’s Food Finds” but can we just have a moment of appreciation for the most adorable little succulent there ever was? It’s the latest addition to my office decor and it brings me joy every time I look at it. There have been so many new planters and bouquets at Trader Joe’s lately, and the temptation is real every single time I go! They are perfect for gifting, or for keeping š
So, as you can see, there have been some major hits this summer (but also a few misses). Surprisingly, the savory snacks have been impressing me more than the sweets! I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t dreaming of pumpkins and peppermint already, though š
xoxo
Jennifer