Fruits & Veggies Mean Summer

Fresh fruits and vegetables are synonymous with summer! This season’s bounty seems endless at times. Now is the best time to try some produce items you or your kids haven’t had before. When they’re in season, fruits and veggies are at their peak of flavor and available at their lowest prices. Here are several things that you can do with delicious, in-season fruits and vegetables.

Make room for some healthy fruits and vegetables on the grill. Many people don’t think about grilling their fruits and veggies, but there are several good reasons to fire them up. Fruit naturally contains sugar, and when you combine sugar with the heat of the grill, it caramelizes, making the fruit taste even sweeter. Grilling also adds a smoky flavor to fruits and vegetables for an added dimension of taste. Spray non-stick cooking spray on the grate before heating the grill to keep the fruits and vegetables from sticking to the grill grate.

Fruits and vegetables are delicious when grilled and there are hundreds of different grilling ideas that come to mind for them. Grill peaches and nectarines then dice them and make a salsa by adding fresh herbs, chili peppers and lime juice. Grill corn on the cob by husking it, sprinkling on a mix of seasonings such as oregano, pepper, chili powder and salt with a touch of butter, then wrap in aluminum foil and grill until tender. Or grill your dessert, it’s delicious and unexpected. Slice pealed bananas in half lengthwise, sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar, place on aluminum foil flat side down, and let it sizzle. Roasted Corn Salsa is a wonderful recipe that’s made with grilled corn. My family enjoys it spooned over grilled chicken or eaten with baked tortilla chips.

Fruits and veggies shine at picnics. Corn and Black Bean Salad and Southwestern Coleslaw are both great side dishes for picnics or to take along to a family reunion or potluck dinner because they don’t call for mayonnaise.

When the weather gets hot there’s nothing better than a frozen treat. How about one that’s packed with vitamins and fiber? Make your favorite smoothie recipe, mine is Out Of This Whirled Shake, then pour it into Popsicle molds or ice cube trays and in just a few minutes you’ve got a nutritious dessert the kids will love. Hot and Sweet Watermelon also makes a delicious desert.

Some of my best meal memories from childhood are the meatless meals we would have when the garden was really producing. I never realized the meat was missing because the variety of fruits and veggies served was so great! Fruits and vegetables add color, texture, flavor and nutrition to meals without adding many calories. Most people shortchange themselves on fruits and vegetables.

Visit www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org for user-friendly advice on how to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet; including, recipes, nutrition information, tips for getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables, and even videos. Check out these videos that discuss grilling peaches and nectarines, asparagus, watermelon, avocados, bell peppers, and even canned fruits & veggies!