Whether you have your own vegetable garden or visit your local farmers markets, summer is the time of fresh produce, and an abundance of it. These easy recipes will help transform your summer veggies into flavorful dishes you will love.
1. Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce
Photo by Jake Popescu
When I think of summer produce, tomatoes are the first to come to mind. Tomatoes have been linked to reducing heart disease and cancer. Despite being mostly water, they are very high in vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and folate.
Roasting tomatoes with garlic is my favorite way to make a homemade sauce. Fresh herbs are the key to brightening up any dish and I always have them on hand during the summer. In my tomato sauce I like to add tons of fresh basil and fresh oregano. Although tomatoes are best during the summer, preserve this sauce and enjoy it all year long.
Photo by Jake Popescu
2. Lemon Basil Walnut Pesto
Photo by Jake Popescu
I love pesto because it’s a quick and easy meal to make and is filled with so much flavor. Basil is extremely nutrient dense and has been listed as one of the world’s healthiest foods and has over 80 different nutrients.
Pesto is a very versatile dish, you can mix any green with any kind of nut and put your own twist to it. This pesto is made from walnuts, instead of the traditional pine nuts. You can use any nut you like, but I prefer walnuts for this recipe. I am choosing to use both fresh basil and fresh mint. I am also adding a mix of fresh baby greens.
Photo by Jake Popescu
3. Pickled Cucumbers and Carrots
Photo by Jake Popescu
What’s summer without cucumbers? And what’re cucumbers without pickles? In this recipe, I am transforming two summer vegetables. Cucumbers and carrots.
People have been pickling things for ages. You can either pickle foods via fermentation or immersion in vinegar.
#SpoonTip: It’s best to use Kirby cucumbers when making pickles. For the pickling spices, you can often find different blends of spices already combined for pickling.
Photo by Jake Popescu
4. Zucchini Corn Fritters
Photo by Jake Popescu
Zucchini is low in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, being a perfect food for anyone trying to lose weight. Zucchini is also a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and manganese.
This recipe for zucchini corn fritters is light and fluffy and is perfect for summer. I paired them up with a creamy grain mustard sauce, but you can use whatever you like. An herb tahini sauce would also go great with this recipe.
Photo by Jake Popescu
Summer produce doesn’t last long. Get cooking with these easy recipes. Check out this amazing Summer Produce Guide and explore new recipes. This is definitely my favorite time of the year and I’m going to make the best out of it.