Summer has arrived! Why not explore the foods and recipes that are now officially in season.
To help keep the cost of your weekly food shop down and reduce the air miles used to transport your food, it is always best to shop locally and buy in seasonal summer food.
Here is our list of the fruits and vegetables in season for summer and some recipes you can try out!
Strawberries
A hugely popular fruit, strawberries are sold all year round, but you are much more likely to discover the ripest, juiciest strawberries in the summer months.
Many individuals also enjoy strawberry picking themselves which is a fun day out suitable for all ages.
The fruit is packed with vitamins and fibre as well as being sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free and low in calories, they are a fantastic option as a sweet but healthy snack. You can choose to eat them on their own or they make fantastic accompaniments for many dessert dishes.
Recipe
Eton Mess is a popular choice for a dessert during the summer and it’s super easy to make.
All you need is:
- Fresh Strawberries
- Meringues (these can be bought readymade)
- Thick or heavy cream
- A little bit of caster sugar
Simply coat the strawberries in a sprinkling of sugar, then in a separate bowl, whip the cream using an electric mixer. Crush your meringue and then mix everything together!
New Potatoes
Unlike their fully grown counterparts, new potatoes have thin, wispy skills and a waxy texture and keep their shape once cooked. Additionally, they are sweeter because their sugar has not yet converted to starch. Each of these factors make them ideal for use in salads.
New potatoes contain Vitamin B1 which is what our bodies need to release energy from carbohydrates. It also promotes healthy heart function. You will also find other B vitamins such as folic acid.
Recipe
Potato salad is a super easy side dish, perfect for any summer BBQ. Simply cook off your new potatoes until you can pierce a fork through, and they slide off, then mix with a bit of olive oil, Dijon mustard, spring onion and fresh parsley.
Read the full recipe here.
Melon
There is such a large variety of melon to choose from. Some of the most popular choices include Watermelon, Honey Dew and Cantaloupe. They are all very refreshing options and can be widely used across sweet and savoury dishes.
Watermelon has many benefits:
- Hydrating
- Contains compounds that may help prevent cancer.
- Contains vitamins A, B6 and C
- Only 40 calories per cup
Recipe
A perfect savoury recipe for watermelon is a delicious salad mixed with tomatoes and feta cheese.
Arrange the two fruits on a platter and then whisk together in a bowl olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper, then spoon over the tomatoes and watermelon. Sprinkle with feta cheese and fresh basil.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a great addition to pies, crumbles and savoury suppers. It is technically a vegetable, but it is often treated as a fruit – despite its tart flavour. While it is able to grow most of the year, it is best grown in sunlight and warmer soil temperatures.
Rhubarb contains antioxidants which have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties which can help protect against many healthy-related issues.
Recipe
Enjoy rhubarb in a delicious homemade crumble. The recipe is simple and can be found here.
Passion Fruit
Passion fruit isn’t one you commonly come across, but it is a delicious seasonal summer food packed full of nutritional benefits!
It is fairly sweet in flavour but with a slight tart citrus like taste. It’s also full of vitamins and is rich in antioxidants. Not to mention that passion fruit is a great source of fibre and helps boost the immune system.
A great way to enjoy passion fruit is in a cocktail!
Recipe
Discover a delicious passion fruit margarite – this way!
If you’re hosting a social event this summer but don’t want the stress of catering, why not hire a professional caterer to take care of everything for you?
Contact Laurens Catering today for a FREE quote.
