My Five Favorite Summer Foods

By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom

You know that I’m a big fan of “seasonal” eating – choosing the fruits and vegetables that are locally grown – not flown in partially ripe, from thousands of miles away. For me, summer is loaded with some of my favorite foods. Here are five of my favorites:

A tomato - from the tiny grape tomatoes to the giant beefsteaks – is the most versatile “fruit” in nature (technically, it’s not a vegetable, though we think of it as one!). Perfect in salads or cold soups like gazpacho, it’s also an edible container for your favorite meat or vegetable salad. It’s also loaded with umami – the savor “fifth taste bud” – adding an additional flavor pop to whatever you’re eating! 

Corn on the Cob is one of summer’s greatest edible treats. Steamed or grilled, corn is sweet and full of flavor. Skip the butter or margarine, and enjoy it’s sweetness. Or use a low-calorie butter spray.

I love watermelon! It’s a great anytime food. And since it’s mostly water, it’s the perfect way to hydrate on a hot day! And you’ll find most melons are now seedless, an added plus!

Fresh berries are nature’s candy. Plump and juicy, berries of all kinds – blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries are now at their flavor peak . 

Nothing can beat fresh salad greens in the summertime. Cool and crisp, greens are now at their peak of flavor. Darker greens have more nutrients than pale ones, so mix and match. Just make sure to wash those greens thoroughly to remove the dirt and grit! 

And if you can’t get to a farmer’s market or local stand, check out your neighborhood grocery store for a selection of locally grown fruit and veggies from area farms. 

What are some of your own summer favorites?