‘This summer while you’re browsing the many markets around the city, be sure to take home some of the fruits and vegetables that are currently in season. Not only will they be locally grown, they’ll be extremely fresh! The health benefits even outweigh the deliciousness. Here are some ideas to get you inspired:
Strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and manganese. They are low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium and nourish your body with potassium and dietary fiber. If you want to incorporate strawberries into a treat the whole family can enjoy, try making homemade popsicles! All you need is a blender, popsicle molds, 300g of strawberries, and 100mL of strawberry syrup. Blend the syrup and berries together until the liquid is pureed and simply pour the puree into the molds and freeze for three hours! Enjoy!
Beets provide large amounts of Vitamins A, B, and C, as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, and fiber, all of which come in handy during the harsh summer months to keep us healthy and in balance. Plus, they also work as a natural tonic for the liver and to nourish the blood. Incorporating beets into your diet is as easy as adding them to your daily juice or atop a fresh salad! If you’re feeling adventurous, blend together two raw beets, one apple (I recommend Fuji or Granny Smith!), a cup of apple juice, and some lemon juice for a delicious, energy-boosting smoothie!
Finally, aside from being high in fiber, Vitamin B1, manganese, and Vitamin B6, eggplants also stimulate antioxidant activity. And a nutrient found in eggplant skin called ‘nasunin’ protects cell membranes in our bodies from damage, while also lessening free radical damage in joints. To enjoy eggplant, just drizzle a few slices with lemon juice and olive oil (seasoned for taste) and roast them in the oven at 400 degrees.
For a new take on a classic snack dip, combine in a food processor 1.5 cups of chickpeas, 2 tablespoons of tahini, ¼ cup of parsley, and 2 garlic cloves. You’ll have a delicious hummus dip for carrots, beets, or another in-season veggie!
These are just a few of the fruits and vegetables that are in season. Some others are arugula, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, corn, green onions, kale, kohlrabi, oregano, ramps, scallions, and thyme! So, if you spot them at your local market or grocery store, be sure to pick some up!
– Jesi V. Taylor, Element Reception Staff