Ahh, summer. It conjures thoughts of juicy watermelon slices, biting into ears of sweet corn, and firing up the grill. Looking for some summer food inspiration? Read on.
A is for Artichokes. This delicious food is actually in the same family as marigolds, daisies and sunflowers. Who knew? Make an awesome spinach and artichoke dip while you wonder if an artichoke could be classified as a flower.
B is for Burgers. Have a barbecue and throw some tasty burgers on the grill. You’ll be the hit of the neighborhood. Remember, toppings can take your burger from drab to fab.
C is for corn. Sweet corn is synonymous with summer. Grab some at a local farm stand close to you. It’s the perfect accompaniment to that meal on the grill.
D is for Dragon Fruit. Have you seen one of these? Picture a soft pineapple with spikes. Bite into it and it tastes like a blend of kiwi and pear, carrying a crunchy texture. Make sure you peel the leathery skin and only eat the white part containing the seeds.
E is for Eggplant. Many think it is a vegetable, but it’s a fruit. It’s true! We like to think of it as a relative of the tomato and potato family. Eggplant Parmesan is one of our faves, and a great vegetarian meal.
F is for Figs. For a healthy snack, you can purchase dried figs, halve them, and smother peanut butter on top. You can thank us later.
G is for Grapes. Frozen, that is. Put some on a skewer and place it in your glass of wine to keep it cool. They won’t water down your drink like ice cubes do.
H is for Herbs. Fresh herbs are where it’s at in the summer time. They add garnish, flavor and excitement to any dish. Not sure which to try? Pick up some Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme for some inspiration.
I is for ice cream. Stop at Sweet Ride in West Reading for some delicious frozen treats. The peanut butter ripple is the best…just sayin’.
J is for Jam. Make your fresh summer fruit last all year-round. Think of the jams you could make – strawberry, raspberry or blueberry are at the top of our list.
K is for Kebabs. Another fun grill meal. You can basically kebab anything…steak, chicken, seafood and vegetables. Throw a kebab party and invite some friends over.
L is for Lemons. Lemons are a popular garnish. They promote health and are important in one’s diet. Lemonade anyone?
M is for Marshmallows. Buy a pack of marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers, start an outdoor fire (safely, of course) and make some s’mores for everyone to enjoy. Mix it up by switching plain chocolate for peanut butter cups.
N is for Nectarines. We like ours grilled and on a delicious summer salad. A little spring mix, slivered almonds, grilled nectarines and some crumbled bleu cheese sure hits the spot.
O is for Olives. Add a twist and put some olives in your pasta salad for another interesting flavor in an already-tasty dish.
P is for Pineapple. Cut yours into slices, pop them on the grill for a few minutes, top with vanilla ice cream, a touch of honey and get ready to say, “Yum!”
Q is for Quinoa. For a healthy alternative to rice, you can make quinoa fried “rice.” Cook your vegetables the same way you typically would, but add quinoa to the recipe instead of rice.
R is for Raspberries. Pick them yourself at Weaver’s Orchard in Morgantown. Peak season is through July 7. For more info visit weaversorchard.com.
S is for Spinach. It doesn't seem very exciting, but if you sauté’ spinach in garlic, you will get wonderful results. Give it a shot.
T is for Tomato. So many choices come from off of the vine: Roma, plum, beefsteak, grape and cherry are just a few. We can’t help but pop them right into our mouth when picking them from the garden for a special summer treat.
U is for Upside-down Cake. Pineapple upside down is usually your first thought, but there are other kinds of upside down cakes you can bake, too. Apple, cherry and peach are all in the upside-down cake “family.” Make one to bring to a big summer bash!
V is for Vegan. Relish in West Reading sells a very nice vegan gourmet hot dog. Go support a local business and place your order!
W is for Watermelon. Get a nice watermelon from your local farmer’s market for a sweet, healthy treat on a hot summer day.
X is for beer. Dos Esquis (XX), that is. If you’re 21 years or older, order a cold one with a hot dog – or perhaps at a baseball game – and drink responsibly.
Y is for yogurt. A yogurt smoothie, actually. Pick up a strawberry banana or other flavored variety at your local Wawa for a healthier version of the cold treat.
Z is for Zucchini. Stuff it, sauté it, eat it raw, or even noodle it. This summer squash is totally versatile.
Now you know your summer food ABC’s!
