Now that summer is in full swing, there are so many great vegetables in season! These 12 vegetables are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and perfect to add to your summer menu.
Leafy Greens
Lettuce has its benefits, but there are plenty of other leafy greens that you should add to your meals! These greens will provide a pleasant change to boring dishes, and they each have important vitamins and nutrients.
Watercress and spinach are sources for your daily value of vitamins A, C, and K. Watercress is an underrated vegetable, but its small leaves have the healthy vitamins and antioxidants our bodies need. Try adding some of this peppery green to your salad or with breakfast in your scrambled eggs. Yum!
You’re probably familiar with spinach, but did you know this is one of the most versatile vegetables?! Whether you prefer it raw in a salad or sautéed with some garlic, spinach will always be a health-boosting choice. If you want to be more adventurous, add some spinach to your smoothie! Grab your favorite summer fruits, and blend them with spinach for a refreshing drink. Try any combination... like peaches, banana, and spinach.
Beet greens and collard greens are another excellent and healthy addition to any menu. Both are rich with vitamin K, and collard greens provide a nutritious serving of folate (a vitamin) and beta-carotene, which helps strengthen vision. Try sautéing your beet greens with some garlic and olive oil for a lighter side dish to a heavier meal. Collard greens, a Southern staple, are best blanched in boiling water, and even make a great alternative to tortillas for wraps.
Leafy Greens
Lettuce has its benefits, but there are plenty of other leafy greens that you should add to your meals! These greens will provide a pleasant change to boring dishes, and they each have important vitamins and nutrients.
Watercress and spinach are sources for your daily value of vitamins A, C, and K. Watercress is an underrated vegetable, but its small leaves have the healthy vitamins and antioxidants our bodies need. Try adding some of this peppery green to your salad or with breakfast in your scrambled eggs. Yum!
You’re probably familiar with spinach, but did you know this is one of the most versatile vegetables?! Whether you prefer it raw in a salad or sautéed with some garlic, spinach will always be a health-boosting choice. If you want to be more adventurous, add some spinach to your smoothie! Grab your favorite summer fruits, and blend them with spinach for a refreshing drink. Try any combination... like peaches, banana, and spinach.
Beet greens and collard greens are another excellent and healthy addition to any menu. Both are rich with vitamin K, and collard greens provide a nutritious serving of folate (a vitamin) and beta-carotene, which helps strengthen vision. Try sautéing your beet greens with some garlic and olive oil for a lighter side dish to a heavier meal. Collard greens, a Southern staple, are best blanched in boiling water, and even make a great alternative to tortillas for wraps.
Adding Some Color
Incorporate some of summer’s bright colors in your meals! Beets add a bright red or purple to your plate, and, like their leaves, contribute many nutrients, like fiber and nitrates. Grate raw beets over your salad, or bake them in foil like potatoes. I’d suggest combining them with watercress and feta cheese in this delicious salad!
Red bell peppers also add a vibrant pop of color, not to mention a huge helping of vitamin C. They’re delightfully crisp, and add a sweet flavor to any dish - I love wrapping them in a pita with some hummus, cucumber, and kalamata olives. Mmm.
The colorful stalks of swiss chard also brighten any meal. Lightly steam them, or sauté them and add them to a quiche.
Fun Sized Veggies
Good things come in small packages, and summer vegetables are no exception. Microgreens are the mini versions of your favorite veggies, like broccoli, cabbage, and radishes, but hold even more nutrients, like vitamins C and E. Mix them into a salad with pomegranate or strawberries, or even use them to top your tacos.
Baby kale is another vegetable to add to your shopping list. Sure, we all know about kale as a “superfood,” but baby kale is more tender, and doesn’t have the strong flavor of regular kale, making it better to use in wraps and pasta salads.
Incorporate some of summer’s bright colors in your meals! Beets add a bright red or purple to your plate, and, like their leaves, contribute many nutrients, like fiber and nitrates. Grate raw beets over your salad, or bake them in foil like potatoes. I’d suggest combining them with watercress and feta cheese in this delicious salad!
Red bell peppers also add a vibrant pop of color, not to mention a huge helping of vitamin C. They’re delightfully crisp, and add a sweet flavor to any dish - I love wrapping them in a pita with some hummus, cucumber, and kalamata olives. Mmm.
The colorful stalks of swiss chard also brighten any meal. Lightly steam them, or sauté them and add them to a quiche.
Fun Sized Veggies
Good things come in small packages, and summer vegetables are no exception. Microgreens are the mini versions of your favorite veggies, like broccoli, cabbage, and radishes, but hold even more nutrients, like vitamins C and E. Mix them into a salad with pomegranate or strawberries, or even use them to top your tacos.
Baby kale is another vegetable to add to your shopping list. Sure, we all know about kale as a “superfood,” but baby kale is more tender, and doesn’t have the strong flavor of regular kale, making it better to use in wraps and pasta salads.
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The Classics
Of course, sometimes you just can’t beat old favorites. Broccoli with forever be a favorite vegetable on the dinner table. Mix some chopped broccoli florets in stir fry or frittatas... or serve it on its own. Roast it in the oven with some olive oil and salt for a simple and delicious source of vitamins C and K!
You probably have this veggie in your freezer right now: frozen peas! Not to be forgotten, peas are always a healthy (and economical) option. Steam them, or add them to soups and pasta. Their sweetness also pairs great with hearty grains like couscous!
Asparagus and its surprisingly sweet flavor will always be one of my top picks from the produce aisle. It’s tasty when roasted or blanched, but when you break out the grill this summer, try searing up some asparagus with a bit of olive oil and topped with some lemon juice. Serve with your favorite summer dish.
There are endless recipes for all of the tasty, nutritious veggies available this summer. Head to the grocery store or hit your local farmer’s market to fill your cart with these vitamin-rich vegetables; your body will thank you! Taking advantage of summer’s produce makes for a fresh and healthy season!
Of course, sometimes you just can’t beat old favorites. Broccoli with forever be a favorite vegetable on the dinner table. Mix some chopped broccoli florets in stir fry or frittatas... or serve it on its own. Roast it in the oven with some olive oil and salt for a simple and delicious source of vitamins C and K!
You probably have this veggie in your freezer right now: frozen peas! Not to be forgotten, peas are always a healthy (and economical) option. Steam them, or add them to soups and pasta. Their sweetness also pairs great with hearty grains like couscous!
Asparagus and its surprisingly sweet flavor will always be one of my top picks from the produce aisle. It’s tasty when roasted or blanched, but when you break out the grill this summer, try searing up some asparagus with a bit of olive oil and topped with some lemon juice. Serve with your favorite summer dish.
There are endless recipes for all of the tasty, nutritious veggies available this summer. Head to the grocery store or hit your local farmer’s market to fill your cart with these vitamin-rich vegetables; your body will thank you! Taking advantage of summer’s produce makes for a fresh and healthy season!
Don't Forget Your Veggie Wash!
Don't forget to wash all of your veggies before eating to remove any dirt or pesticides!
Our All Natural Vegetable Wash soap is formulated with extra coconut oil, orange essential oil, and orange peel for extra scrub. We made it with 60% coconut oil so that it will be extra cleansing on your vegetables, yet still all natural!
Happy Munching! :)
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