Eating for the Summer Season

Summertime means farmer’s markets throughout Kansas City and a chance to eat healthy and tasty.  It’s good to mix up what we consume (I know my family can get stuck in a rut) and find new ways to prepare our food.  It’s best to eat as fresh as possible, so whether we are at the grocery store or one of the local markets, here’s some produce in season.

Vegetables in Season Now

  • Radishes
  • Arugula
  • Cucumber
  • Beets
  • Bell Peppers
  • Carrots
  • Zucchini
  • Garlic
  • Corn
  • Rhubarb

Fruits in Season Now

  • Apricots
  • Plums
  • Cherries
  • Blackberries
  • Nectarines
  • Strawberries
  • Peaches
  • Tomatoes
  • Passion Fruit
  • Melon
  • Lemon
  • Limes

Of course, it’s best to eat a balanced diet and My Food Plate is a great resource.  While ½ of the plate consists of fruits and vegetables, the USDA also includes grains, protein, and dairy.  A fun way to try produce in season includes making stir fry, smoothies, soup, and other tasty combinations.  Let’s try some new food this summer and have fun experimenting in the kitchen.

Struggling to think of what to make?  Here’s a simple recipe to get your creative juices flowing.  Have fun!

Peach and Plum Salad

SERVES 4-6       TIME: 15 MINUTES

Ingredients:

4 peaches, pitted and cut into 1″ wedges

4 plums, pitted and cut into 1″ wedges

14 cup fresh lemon juice

14 cup red wine vinegar

2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 small red onion, thinly sliced, soaked in ice water 10 minutes, drained

2 oz. baby arugula

13 cup basil leaves, torn

13 cup cilantro leaves

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions:

Toss peaches and plums with 2 tbsp. lemon juice and the vinegar in a bowl; transfer to a serving platter. Add remaining juice, 2 tsp. salt, and the onion to bowl; toss to combine. Using a slotted spoon, sprinkle onion mixture over fruit, leaving juice in bowl. Add arugula, basil, and cilantro to bowl. Season with salt and pepper, toss to combine, and scatter over fruit. Drizzle with olive oil and black pepper.

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *