What Vegetables Are In Season During The Summer?
Dust off the grill and head to the market, summer is officially here!
Grocers know, with veggies at hand year-round, they are truly at their absolute best when in season. Who doesn't love to score deals on seasonal greenage? We certainly do! So we've compiled a list of trendy veggies you can find for the low this summer.
We know just how much value mature veggies add to our diet. Simply put, ripe veggies are best for our meals and our bodies. Cristine Georgiou of Reboot with Joe elaborates on this point, writing, "When fruits and vegetables are picked for consumption that have been naturally ripened on the vine or the tree and harvested at the right time, it will have much more flavor and nutrition."
By aligning our diet with each season, we strengthen our connection to the earth by allowing our bodies to receive its various nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. The Mayo Clinic describes antioxidants as substances produced by plant-based foods that protect the body from harmful free radicals. As nature would have it, fruits and veggies harvested in summer are high in antioxidants; strengthening us organically.
Which veggies should you sizzle up this summer?
Universally, fresh vegetables are widely available, while some are unique to their geography — you know, the Idaho potato concept. These veggies can always be imported, but we encourage you to meet and support local growers! The Seasonal Food Guide developed just the tool you need to search for produce native to your region.
Each veggie has their own healthful properties to offer. PBS assembled a brief docket of popular summer favorites, including rhubarb, bell peppers, carrots, and cucumber. Georgia grocery store, J&J Foods, adds cruciferous broccoli, antioxidant-rich zucchini, and green beans to the list. The gardening pros at Gilmour reference shallots (a great enhancer for mashed potatoes), okra, eggplant, and even fiber-rich sweet potatoes in their summertime features. Next time you can't decide what's for dinner, you have these options and many more to choose from!
Get your fill of plant-based freshness this season. Whether roasted, grilled, steamed, or stir-fried, vegetables make for flexible entrees and simple side dishes. Having season-ready veggies allows us to enjoy them at the peak of their flavor. Ripe greenery provides us with an essential mix of vitamins and minerals for this time of year. If you're looking for organic veggies, support your nearest farmers market and shop local.