Celebrate National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month
June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate! From berries to melons to chile peppers, fresh produce is plentiful and happening during these summer months. This national food holiday was enacted to encourage everyone to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their daily diet. With all the wonderful options available now and in the upcoming summer months, it won’t be too much of a challenge. Fresh fruits and vegetables are not only delicious but they also offer us many beneficial nutrients our bodies require such as vitamins, potassium, calcium, fiber and much more. Among other health benefits, it can also aid in weight control and disease prevention. This is one of the best times of the year to take advantage of the delectable bounty nature has to offer us. As our way of paying homage to this healthy holiday, here are some of our favorite garden-fresh recipes featuring the season’s best and most popular fruits and vegetables.
When it comes to throwing an outdoor summer party, cole slaw is a must-have. And even for those who aren’t big fans of cole slaw, they will be after a taste of this one. Sweetheart Lobster Slaw is our fun little seafood twist on a picnic classic. Freshly cooked lobster meat tossed with with crisp Kool Cabbage and red cabbage and refreshing mini cucumbers, this crunchy seafood slaw is a hero in our books! Its sweet, light mayo, strawberry and rice vinegar dressing helps to bring out the freshness of the ingredients and help their flavors truly sing.
Pixie Tangerine and Baby Red Beet Salad
Did you know that citrus and beets go together like peanut butter and jelly? The earthiness of the beets paired with the sweet, acidity of the citrus makes for a divine combination. This recipe brings together our Organic Peeled and Steamed Baby Beets and Ojai Pixie Tangerines into a simple yet delicious salad and is finished with a delectable citrus vinaigrette. If Ojai Pixies are unavailable, you may use Gold Nugget Tangerines or any other of your favorite citrus. Garnish with a little crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese for an extra salty bite.
Panzanella is a traditional Italian recipe that takes the fresh flavors of heirloom tomatoes and basil and combines it with hearty bread for a delicious summery picnic-style dish. The different colors of the heirloom tomatoes give this dish great color while the crusty bread soaks up all of its fresh juices and flavors. It’s a classic tomato and bread salad, in a nutshell, and can be eaten as a light lunch or dinner. Make sure to choose a robust, chewy bread with a crunchy crust so that it’ll hold up against the juices of the heirloom tomatoes.
Potato, Cucumber and Dill Salad
This is no ordinary potato salad. Picture this–Baby Ruby Gold® Potatoes mixed with crisp organic mini cucumbers and fresh baby heirloom tomatoes. Tell us, does that or does that not sound like a dream come true? This salad is gently tossed with a cool and creamy Greek Yogurt and sour cream dressing and is every bit as refreshing as it is delicious. Baby Ruby Gold® Potatoes have a light and subtle flavor but if you prefer something a little more buttery, our Dutch Yellow® Potatoes make an outstanding substitute.
Summertime is all about the fresh berries. From raspberries to blueberries to blackberries and more, Melissa’s offers many enticing seasonal varieties. Berries add a heavenly touch to many dishes from desserts to breakfasts such as this Challah French toast. Similar to brioche bread, challah is characterized by its eggy, fluffy texture and slightly sweet flavor. The technique for putting this recipe together is fairly straightforward, as most French toast recipes are. However, it’s that irresistible combination of pillow soft challah bread, whipped cream and fresh berries that takes breakfast or Sunday Brunch to the next level.
Summertime Green Lychee Spritzer
Many tropical fruits are available year-round but are especially delicious in the summertime. There’s nothing quite like the luscious taste of lychees during warm weather especially in a simple summer spritzer. Spritzers are incredibly easy to make and only require a few ingredients–water, organic blue agave syrup and your favorite fruits. The delicately sweet and aromatic flavor of the lychees really take this drink to the next level and is best served over ice as an afternoon refresher.
If you’re looking for something both meatless, filling and delicious, then look no further than this kale and farro salad. Ancient grains such as farro, barley and quinoa have been taking up the culinary world by a storm and make a wonderful base in a hearty, filling salad. This year, we’re including this trend into our Lenten recipe repertoire with our scrumptious Kale and Farro Salad. The combination of chewy, nutty farro, crunchy, leafy kale and sweet, tart dried cranberries is too tasty to eat only once a week. It’s finished off with a tossing of extra-virgin olive oil and a squeeze of fresh citrus to brighten things up and bring this simple salad together. This dish is perfect as a side accompaniment to your main meal but its protein and nutrient-rich contents are also filling enough to stand on its own.
What better way to celebrate National Fruits and Vegetables Month than with a dish that’s all about the fresh fruits and vegetables? For those times you’re craving a taste of a hearty pasta, zucchini noodles, also known as zoodles, are a wonderful guilt-free alternative and are as delicious as the real thing. All you need to do is get your hands on a handy spiralizer and then half the work is already finished! Finish it off with our quick and easy classic bolongese sauce, top it off with Melissa’s San Marzano Tomatoes.