(pilipphoto / Shutterstock.com)
Fruit ripens when the weather warms up and the days are long. June is the perfect time of year to eat your fill of these seasonal delights. Besides being delicious, fruits are packed full of health benefits.
So whether you live in the sun belt or in the north where the growing season starts later, late spring and early summer crops are becoming available in North America and Europe. Take advantage of the availability by including seasonal fruits in every meal from breakfast to dinner with these healthy vegetarian-friendly recipes.
Apricot Couscous
This seasonal fruit comes with a host of health benefits including containing five grams of fiber. While fiber helps with gut health, many people do not get enough fiber in their diet, according to the food blog Grape Tree. Apricots also contain the essential vitamins A and C and beneficial antioxidants.
Take advantage of these health benefits of apricots by making this golden apricot couscous recipe from BBC Good Food. This jazzed up Moroccan staple is loaded with turmeric, cinnamon, olive oil and other ingredients that are incredibly good for you. Serve this wholesome dish with a salad and main course.
(Finist4 / Shutterstock.com)
Strawberry and Watercress Salad
Strawberries are just coming into season and are loaded with medicinal benefits. This bright red superfood is loaded with water so it is a great source of hydration in warm weather. Strawberries are full of healthy fiber, vitamins C, folate, B6, E, and K as well as the minerals manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus. All of this contributes to heart health, gut health, and helps to reduce inflammation.
For a light summer lunch pair sweet strawberries with peppery watercress (or use arugula instead) salad from Country Living. Just add cucumbers, ricotta cheese, toasted almonds and serve with a light vinaigrette. It’s a perfect meal to eat outdoors.
(Lesya Dolyuk / Shutterstock.com)
Cold Cantaloupe soup
What’s summer without cantaloupe melons? This delightful fruit has a mild sweet flavor and is loaded with health benefits. The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin that give the melon its orange color are powerful antioxidants that play an important role in eye health, according to WebMD. The vitamins, minerals, and fiber in cantaloupe are also good for heart health, gut health, and to help soothe inflammation.
Enjoy all the benefits of this cool refreshing summer fruit in this cold melon soup recipe from the Dairy Farmers of Canada. All you need is one small cantaloupe melon, plain yogurt, sour cream (you can use a vegan substitute) and fresh strawberries to garnish.
(margouillat photo / Shutterstock.com)
Cherry Blintzes
Cherries are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber and other nutrients, according to Healthline. Plus cherries are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help to reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote your overall health. When it comes to cherries, the deeper the color, the healthier it is for you.
For a delicious dairy brunch, or even dessert, this cherry cheese blintze recipe form Taste of Home is something you should indulge in. You can prep ahead of time and bake when needed.
(Natalia Hanin / Shutterstock.com)
Watermelon Salsa
Watermelon is the quintessential summer treat, its even better than ice cream. Watermelon contains 90 percent water making it super hydrating. While some people think it contains too much sugar, this is not actually the case. A one cup serving only contains nine grams of sugar. And it comes loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Try this watermelon and blueberry salsa from Love & Olive Oil. The fruit adds a sweet taste to the typical spicy salsa ingredients. Serve it with corn chips as a snack, or as a tasty side for fish or chicken.
(David P. Smith / Shutterstock.com)
