With summer approaching, I am looking forward to longer days, better weather, and seasonal summer fruits and vegetables. Choosing in-season fruits and vegetables is a great way to add variety to your diet and is also a more budget-friendly option than choosing out-of-season produce. While some fruits and vegetables are grown year-round, others are seasonal. Produce selection can vary by location and growing conditions, but the following list includes produce you will typically find at North Carolina farmers markets and grocery stores this summer.
Fruits
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Grapes
- Honeydew melon
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Tomatillos
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Brussel sprouts
- Butter beans
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Field peas
- Garlic
- Green beans
- Green onions
- Green peppers
- Hot peppers
- Leafy greens
- Okra
- Potatoes (sweet and white)
- Radish
- Rutabaga
- Summer squash
- Turnips
- Zucchini
This list is based on the June through August monthly guides from the NC 10% Campaign. For tips on storing all of your fruit and vegetable finds, check out this handout from our colleagues at Med Instead of Meds.
After you have stocked up on all of your favorite summertime produce, it is time to try some new recipes! In celebration of Med Month, here are a few recipes to kick off your summer:
- Apple Cucumber Slaw
- Quinoa Strawberry Salad
- Fruit Chaat
- Summer Green Bean Salad
- Ginger Carrot Eggs
- Cabbage, Pasta, and Pepper
To learn more about the Mediterranean-style pattern of eating, refer to this previous blog post.
You may also enjoy:
10 Foods to Always Keep in Your Freezer
Reduce Your Food Waste – Make Vegetable Stock
Meal Planning 101: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide
Top 10 Vegetarian Sources of Protein
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