Summer is officially here and you know what that means? Food! Delicious, wholesome, fresh foods that pair amazingly with backyard BBQs, days at the beach, picnics in the park, or simply a fun afternoon with the family.
But, what are the best seasonal foods for summer? And, is there any benefit to eating seasonal ingredients as opposed to foods that aren’t in season? Well, fortunately, the food-lovers at Caputos have the answers you’re looking for right here.
We’re breaking down a list of our top 10 favorite summer fruits and vegetables as well as their nutritional benefits, so you can make the best decisions when it comes to your family, your health, and your recipes.
Top 5 Summer Fruits
Arguably, the best time of year to enjoy fruits is the summer time when the hard-to-get, sweet fruits finally come back into season – and for a great price! In the Chicagoland area, there are tons of exceptional fruit options for summer and we’re here to tell you our five personal favorites and why you should put them on the list for your next Caputos grocery visit!
Watermelon
Watermelon is THE summer fruit, what with its high water content and large-enough-to-feed-a-family-of-7-deliciousness. High in vitamin A and C, this fruit is as nutritionally-dense as it is beautiful to look at. Rich reds offer high levels of potassium and B6 to keep your heart and eyes healthy.
Blend up watermelons for amazing summertime margaritas or sprinkle a little feta into your watermelon salad for the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
Strawberries
Strawberries are beloved by kiddos and adults alike, offering the distinct sweet and slightly sour taste of summertime childhood. These sweet fruits are also packed with fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, which is super helpful for fighting inflammation and keeping your teeth sparkly white.
Blend Strawberries up for a summertime popsicle recipe or add them to a fresh grilled chicken salad for a boost of color and flavor.
Pineapple
SpongeBob is not the only fan of this delicious summer fruit. We love pineapples for their sweet, tropical flavor, giving us a taste of vacations in Hawaii (even if we’re just sitting in our backyard). They also help boost your metabolism and reduce inflammation, so you can look and feel your best.
Add a couple cubes of pineapple to your chicken and pepper skewers or create an amazing Bay Breeze cocktail and impress your friends with a fun, backyard dinner and drink night.
Kiwi
We think kiwis are the most underrated summer fruit and we’re putting a stop to that now. These colorful and delicious fruits are packed with vitamin A, C, and B6, giving you loads of powerful, inflammation fighting benefits. They also taste amazing and are the perfect, complimentary color to add fruit salad.
Scoop a kiwi or two and blend with strawberries, yogurt, and pineapple juice for the perfect, refreshing summer smoothie you can enjoy anywhere, anytime.
Mango
Along with watermelon, we think mangos take the cake for the best summertime fruit of all time. These beautiful, colorful fruits pair well with all types of dishes – salty, sweet, umami; you name it and mangos probably pair well with it.
They’re also rich in fiber, potassium and vitamin A, giving you protection against harmful blue rays that can affect your eyes. We love adding mango to a summertime salsa, for the perfect balance of fresh, sweet, and spicy.
Top 5 Summer Vegetables
As much as we love summertime fruits, we might love summertime veggies even more – we know, it’s surprising us too!
Summer is the best season for producing fresh, crisp vegetables that are as colorful as they are nutritious. You can also cook, chop, roast, boil, and grill these veggies to your heart’s content during the heated months, which means more time for outdoor parties and hanging with friends.
A win-win in our book.
Here are our top five favorite summer vegetables to pick up on your next grocery visit.
Zucchini
Zucchini, also known as the “summer squash,” is like its fall and winter cousins in texture and shape, but delivers a crisp and colorful taste and appearance that is perfect to enjoy during the hotter, summer months. Best part? There’s truly no wrong way to cook zucchini – grill it, sauté it, fry it, stew it; the options are truly endless!
We love coring zucchini and creating spicy taco boats that pair with a fresh margarita or paloma for the perfect outdoor summer dinner.
Cucumber
What can’t you pair with a cucumber? You can put them in salads, sandwiches, wraps, or on a delicious veggie tray paired with smoky meats and cheeses. While their versatility is of course a benefit, we also love that cucumbers are rich in water and vitamin K, perfect to keep your hydrated during the hot, summer months.
For picky eaters, we suggest adding cucumbers to a fruit smoothie! They won’t be able to taste it, but they’ll still get all the amazing vitamins and mineral.
Corn
Is there anything more summer-coded than a grilled corn on the cob? We don’t think so, which is why corn takes our prize for best summer vegetable! Packed with vitamin C, corn is perfect for adults, kiddos, and seniors looking to add color, texture, and flavor to any dish.
Salsa? Add corn! Chicken and mashed potato bowl? Add corn! Summer salad? Add corn. The opportunities are endless.
Eggplant
Veggie lovers rejoice! We have the perfect, non-meat option for summertime that is flavorful, delicious, and oh-so colorful. Eggplants are so versatile, making them great for vegans and vegetarians looking for a meat alternative to use for their favorite meals.
You can grill it, add it in place for chicken for a parmesan, skewer it, fry it, and sauté it. Whatever way you choose to enjoy your eggplant, know that you’re also getting a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber to help keep you energized and active.
Carrots
Finally, we have carrots – our favorite, colorful vegetables that’s easy on the stomach and the eyes (really, the beta carotene is phenomenal). Carrots are also richly packed with memory supporting vitamins and minerals to help keep your brain strong and healthy – even post-summertime.
Finely chop some carrots and add it into a brownie recipe for the perfect, hidden dessert recipe that even the pickiest kiddos can’t say no to.
Shop Angelo Caputos For High-Quality Summer Fruits and Vegetables
Ready to find the delicious, fresh, and high-quality summer fruits and vegetables at a grocery store near you? Shop Angelo Caputos today and be a part of the family that has looked after Chicagoland since 1958.
When you shop with us, you can trust you’re getting the same reliable, trusted customer experience we’ve been providing for over 60+ years.
Shop now or give us a call and we’ll help you find the exact produce you’re looking for to create your next timeless recipe.
From Our Family To Yours
