June 29, 2020
10 Summer Fruits and Vegetables You Must Eat
10 Summer Fruits and Vegetables You Must Eat that are loaded with nutrients and different recipe ideas of how to cook with them! These fruits and veggies are easy to find at your local farmer's market or can be grown in your garden at home.
10 Summer Fruits and Vegetables You Must Eat
1. Tomatoes
I would argue that a fresh garden tomato is the very best summer produce because summer tomatoes taste so much better than tomatoes any other time of year. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and lycopene and can be used so many different ways. They are amazing sliced with balsamic vinegar and chopped onions. They can be grilled and or used in a Parmesan Tomato Zucchini Bake.
2. Peaches
A fresh juicy peach in the summer is amazing! You can grill them, use them in a salad or make a healthier dessert option with them. Peaches are a good source of potassium. Pour yourself a glass of this peach mint iced tea.
3. Bell peppers
Bell peppers from a garden or farmers market always seem to be crispier than store bought ones and they are amazing during the late summer and fall. Grilled marinated bell peppers are delicious and so is grilled vegetable pizza and a fresh salsa using bell peppers. One bell pepper has 169% of your daily vitamin C needs making it a very nutrient packed vegetable. They also have vitamin B6, vitamin K, potassium and folate.
4. Spinach
Spinach is a super versatile veggie that can be used for salads, in smoothies, in a saute, in lots of Italian dishes and more. It is often considered a superfood because it is so loaded with nutrients including folic acid, iron, vitamin K, vitamin C and calcium. This strawberry avocado feta spinach salad is perfect as a summer meal or side dish.
5. Strawberries
Strawberries are ready in spring or early summer in most places and if you get the chance to try fresh picked ones, you are in luck! They are sweet and juicy. The perfect snack. Strawberries are rich in potassium, vitamin C and folate. Enjoy them in baked goods, breakfasts such as Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats or on a strawberry spinach salad.
6. Zucchini
Zucchini is one of the easiest vegetables to grow in your garden. If you plant a few zucchini plants, you are sure to get tons of zucchinis from them. Zucchini is awesome marinated in Italian dressing and grilled, in a stir fry or breaded and baked into zucchini fries. Try this tomato, zucchini and corn pasta salad.
7. Watermelon
On a hot summer day, is there anything better than a cold and juicy bowl of watermelon? Watermelon is a good source of lycopene and vitamins A and C. The most common way to eat watermelon is on its own but it is also awesome in a feta watermelon salad.
8. Cucumber
Though cucumbers are not as loaded with nutrients as other kinds of summer produce, they have a lot of water in them so they are quite hydrating. They also contain some potassium and vitamin K. Try them sliced with a vinaigrette or as part of an appetizer like these Loaded Greek Nachos.
9. Blueberries
If you live in an area where you can go blueberry picking, you are in store for a treat because fresh picked blueberries are amazing. They go well on a salad, can be frozen for a later date to use in smoothies, muffins and baked goods. Blueberries are rich in vitamin C, manganese and vitamin K. Try these blueberry Greek yogurt pancakes for a breakfast that the whole family will love.
10. Corn on the cob
Corn makes a wonderful side dish to many summer recipes. It is amazing on the grill with a little butter or made into Mexican street corn. Corn is rich in potassium, magnesium and iron. You can toss it on many different salads, make salsa with it and more. You can't go wrong with this grilled BBQ chicken salad.
What are your summer favorite fruits and vegetables? Are there any must-make recipes that you love using summer produce?
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