Today, we’d like to tell you about the eight most popular summer vegetables and why you should add more of them to your diet. In addition to providing you with a wealth of facts about each veggie on the list, including nutritional benefits, we’ll also give you some tips on how to prepare these vegetables in exciting and delicious ways. The right cooking techniques will help you to preserve the nutrients in these vegetables, and these proper cooking techniques will also ensure that you access great taste.
Vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. They are typically rather low in calories, so they are excellent choices if you’re weight conscious. As well, they contain all manner of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy natural ingredients. Veggies are the bounty of Mother Nature. They aren’t created in labs, and they aren’t processed, so they are smart choices for those who wish to eat in a cleaner way. Check out more info on benefit of eggplant here
The best veggies are probably organic, which means that they are produced without the usage of chemical-laden pesticides. Organic vegetables may be more expensive. However, they are worth it if you can afford them. Bear in mind that organic vegetables may not have the uniform appearance of non-organic veggies, which may be dyed to make them look perfect.
If you can’t afford organic, choose non-organic veggies. They are still vastly preferable to processed foods, and most may be accessed for affordable prices.
We’re talking about summer vegetables which are in season today. Buying veggies in season are the secret of getting wonderful nutrition for a more affordable price. It’s generally more expensive to buy summer veggies which are not in season.
Now, let’s check out our top eight picks. One or more of them is bound to be right for you. We encourage you to try them all, as eating a lot of different vegetables will help you to get all the nutrients that you need!
Blueberries are so Nutritious
Blueberries taste wonderful and each little blueberry is a treasure trove of nutrition! If you love blueberries, make a point of enjoying them in the summertime, when they are in season. You might even want to visit a local blueberry patch to pick your own. This is a great family activity, although a lot of the blueberries tend to get munched on site, even though they are washed. It is always better to wash these berries before you eat them. However, sometimes, the temptation to eat them as soon as they are picked is just too strong!
Regarding nutrition, blueberries are known to offer a lot. These succulent berries contain Potassium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B-6, vitamin B12 and the mineral, magnesium. Known as a great “brain food,” blueberries nourish the body and mind, and they taste fantastic.
Add fresh, washed and dried blueberries to pancake mix to give you favorite pancake batter more flavor. This child-friendly recipe is beloved by kids, and it’s something that adults adore also. There are healthy pancake recipes online, including whole grain pancake recipes.
Blueberries are also great in pies and crumbles, and they are perfect raw, too, for a nice snack. Some people add them to salads to balance out savory ingredients, such as cheeses, bitter greens, and balsamic vinegar. There are so many wonderful ways to use blueberries and eating them in summer, when they are in season, will be the best way to enjoy their goodness for an affordable price. Freeze some blueberries and use them in smoothie recipes. They are really tasty ingredients in creamy smoothie drinks!
Cool Off with Fresh Cucumbers
Cucumbers are crunchy and mild, and they are perfect summer snacks. Some people like to slice them and serve them with a dash of white vinegar and salt. Others like to eat them raw, without any add-ons, or chop them up and add them to recipes. Since they are so mild regarding taste, they blend well with a variety of dishes. As well, they are watery, so they help those who eat them to access vital moisture. Now, let’s talk about the nutritional profile of cucumbers…
These veggies have just sixteen calories per hundred milligrams, and they are also very low in sodium. They contain plenty of Potassium, as well as 3.6 grams of carbs per serving. As well, cokes have 1.7 grams of sugar and 0.7 grams of protein and offer calcium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and Magnesium.
If you’re weight-conscious, you may indulge in summer cucumbers without guilt, if you don’t load them with high-calorie dips or other toppings. They are great plain. However, the seedless ones are probably the easiest to enjoy, unless you don’t mind removing seeds yourself. In general, we find that cucumbers come alive in a salad. They add nice texture and crunch, without overpowering other ingredients. As well, since they are porous, they absorb salad dressings wonderfully well.
Cucumber sandwiches are one elegant option for summertime. These are traditional English sandwiches, and they are relatively simple to make. To begin, slice and wash two cucumbers and then dry the slices between a couple of sheets of paper towels. Make the filling while the slices dry out. Mix cream cheese and some mayo in a bowl and season the mix with a dash of Worcestershire sauce, onion salt and garlic powder. Spread some filling on single slices of bread, top with some sliced cokes and then press the second piece of bread gently on top. Serve with tea.
Discover the Great Taste of Eggplant
Eggplant is a nightshade vegetable so it may not be the best choice for anyone who suffers from inflammation. However, those who don’t have inflammation-related health issues should certainly give this dark and glossy veggie a try during the summertime months, when it is in the season. Eggplant contains plenty of vitamins and minerals, as well as anti-oxidants. It’s known for its phytonutrient content, which is believed to be very beneficial to the human body. In fact, the phytonutrients in this veggie may keep cell membranes from getting damaged and keep brain cells intact for longer periods of time.
To prepare this summer veggie, be sure to check out a recipe for classic Eggplant Parmigiana online. This famous recipe is beloved for a good reason. Also, the Greek dish, Moussaka, is a delicious and creamy way to enjoy the unique taste and texture of eggplant. These recipes have a lot of steps, so we won’t be listing the steps here. However, you should be able to make either of them in 30 to 60 minutes. Look for recipes which get plenty of rave reviews.
Spice Up Dishes with Hot Peppers
Hot peppers are in season in the summer, and they add so much kick to recipes. While most people don’t eat them plain, they are believed in play a role in weight loss, thanks to their capsicum content, which boosts the body’s metabolic rate. As well, they contain very little sodium, and they are also low in cholesterol and saturated fat. When you choose hot peppers, you’ll access lots of healthy nutrients, including niacin, folic acid, iron, copper, dietary fiber, riboflavin, thiamin, phosphorus, and magnesium. As well, these little peppers have potassium, vitamins B6, C, A, K, and Manganese.
Regarding how to use them, chop them up and throw them in a chili recipe or use them to add a spicy kick to burritos and other classic Mexican fare. Some people even add hot peppers to chocolate desserts or designer coffees to enjoy brand-new taste which is rich and a perfect blend of spicy and sweet. Experimenting with low-calorie hot peppers will fire up your menu and benefit your health.
Enjoy Earthy and Delightful Mushrooms
Mushrooms are widely available in summer for prices which are generally reasonable. They are great raw and washed and taste good cooked. When they are cooked, the lose their subtle crunch and become quite meaty regarding their texture. For example, some people use Portobello mushrooms in place of hamburger. They make Portobello burgers which give them the hamburger vibe, without the animal products. If you love mushrooms, making one of these healthy and low-calorie burgers may be a smart strategy.
Now, let’s look at the nutritional profile of mushrooms. They contain a lot of nutrients, including protein, dietary fiber, iron, zinc, and vitamin B6. This just scratches the surface, so you’ll find that you’re able to get a lot of vital nutrients when you eat more mushrooms in the summertime.
Add a Bit of Spice with Fresh Shallots
If you love adding onions to dishes, whether they are raw or cooked, you’ll find that Shallots are fine choices for summer. These onions are in season during the hot-weather months, and they offer nutrition, as well as the natural antibiotics that onions are known to produce. In fact, onions, along with garlic, are renowned as the “poor man’s antibiotics”. Germ-killing properties of Shallots make them great options regarding boosting immune system function and avoiding illnesses or alleviating symptoms of illnesses. If you have a cold or flu, and summer colds and flu are not unheard of, adding more Shallots to your diet may be a smart way to improve your resistance and shorten the duration of these common health problems.
The nutritional profile of these small onions is very positive. While they do have twelve milligrams of sodium, they are loaded with Potassium, which is great for the human body. As well, they feature dietary fiber and seventeen grams of carbs. Also, Shallots have protein and contain vitamins A, C, D, B-6 and B-12, as well as Magnesium.
It’s easy to substitute shallots for other types of onions which are called for in recipes. It’s also easy to chop them up and add them to salads, tacos and more. Doing a simple Google search for “Shallots recipes” should provide you with access to a lot of recipes which feature this star ingredient.
Discover Exotic and Interesting Kohlrabi
Most of the veggies on our list are familiar. Kohlrabi may be less familiar than the rest. It’s an annual veggie and it is something that people enjoy raw, as well as in cooked recipes. Most people who eat Kohlrabi consume the leaves and the stems. This low-calorie veggie is in season in the summer, and it contains three hundred and fifty milligrams of Potassium per serving. As well, it has six grams of carbs and contains vitamins A, C, B-6, and B-12.
If you’re new to Kohlrabi, a simple way to enjoy is to slice it into quarter-inch pieces and then cut every slice in half. Then, mix up some olive oil and chopped garlic in a bowl and season with pepper and salt. Toss the veggies with the oil mixture and bake the Kohlrabi on a big baking sheet, for fifteen to twenty minutes. A 350 oven should provide the right level of heat.
Experiment with Tasty and Nutritious Zucchini
Zucchini is a summer staple, and it’s a great summer veggie to sauté as a side dish. It’ll come alive when you pan-fry it in a bit of olive oil. Of course, it’s also great in an array of dishes, such as stir-fries and stews. It’s a light-tasting vegetable but has enough flavor to stand out. It’s also low in calories, so it’s great for people who want to eat something with texture, which satisfies, and which doesn’t get them off track with their weight loss plans.
Regarding nutrition, Zucchini contains a lot of Potassium, and it has a low carb count. It also contains dietary fiber and protein, as well as vitamins A, C, D, B-12, B-6 and iron and magnesium.
Eating more Zucchini will promote better health and it’s very affordable.
