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Summer is truly my favorite season. Lots of outdoor dining, fresh flavors, and simple cooking. With good ingredients, you don't have to do much; the flavors are so good on their own in summer.

Summer vegetables are not only tastier when they're in season, but also more nutritious , more affordable , and often local. My body naturally craves fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, summer fruit, and basil. All made for these warmer days.

What grows in summer?

Below is a selection of foods that you can now find in abundance at the market or in the organic store:

Crispy and fresh

  • Cucumber
  • Lettuce (oak leaf, lettuce, arugula)
  • Radish
  • Celery
  • Bok choy
  • Fennel

Flavor bombs

  • Tomato
  • Bell pepper
  • Eggplant
  • Zucchini
  • Spring onion
  • Garlic
  • Onion

A bit firmer

  • Broccoli
  • Green beans
  • Peas
  • Cauliflower
  • Beets (for cold salads!)

Spices

  • Basil
  • Coin
  • Dill
  • Coriander
  • Oregano

Natural hydration

In summer, your body needs less warming comfort food (which we have in winter). Summer calls for cooling , hydration , and easily digestible food.

  • Summer vegetables contain a lot of water → so we can hydrate by eating them.
  • They are rich in antioxidants → protection for your skin, eyes and against the sun.
  • Summer vegetables support the liver → through the bitter and spicy notes
  • They can often be eaten raw → this means you lose fewer vitamins.

Nature perfectly adjusts this to our needs. Whatever is in season locally contains exactly what we need at that moment.

Just as seasonal vegetables are so perfectly adjusted in autumn , winter or summer .

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Inspiration

Here are some ideas for dishes you can make with these summer vegetables:

1. Omelet wrap with zucchini, mint and soft goat cheese

2. Lukewarm salad of grilled vegetables with feta, olives and lemon oil

3. Cold cucumber or tomato soup (gazpacho) with dill

4. Creamy cauliflower puree with grilled fennel and fish

5. Summer salad with potatoes, lots of fresh herbs and beans

6. Mediterranean oven-baked vegetables with buffalo mozzarella

Finally

By choosing seasonal vegetables, you're supporting your health exactly as you should this time of year. And, of course, you'll enjoy the best flavors and nutrients.

A great opportunity to refresh your diet, discover new flavors, and eat more mindfully. It's especially fun if you can experiment with new recipes, visit a local market, or try vegetables you wouldn't normally choose. You might even discover a new favorite!

Goldea Sunday News

This blog was written by Laura Contreras , an orthomolecular therapist and registered intestinal therapist. In my practice, I treat a wide variety of complaints daily, from digestive issues to fatigue and skin problems.

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