Making the most of Summer fruits
Just like summer itself, seasonal fruits are bright and vibrant and oh so tasty. Check out these food and wellness recipies to help you make the most of natures bounty.
These fruits and vegetables are abundant, affordable and taste amazing. Eating and cooking with in-season produce means you're getting the pick of the crop. Let's kick off with what's in season for summer.
Five Ways to Use Summer Fruits
Mango Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe mangoes
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- Fresh fruit (e.g., passionfruit, kiwi, strawberries) and granola for topping
Steps:
- Peel and dice mangoes.
- Blend the mangoes, frozen banana, and coconut milk until smooth and thick.
- Pour into a bowl and top with fresh fruits and granola.
Pineapple & Lime Salsa
Ingredients:
- 1 fresh pineapple, finely diced
- 1 red chili, deseeded and chopped
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- Juice of 2 limes
- Handful of chopped fresh coriander
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix well and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve as a topping for grilled fish or tacos.
Passionfruit Cheesecake
Ingredients:
- 200g digestive biscuits (crushed)
- 100g melted butter
- 500g cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh passionfruit pulp
Steps:
- Mix biscuit crumbs and butter; press into a springform pan to form the base. Chill.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then fold in passionfruit pulp.
- Pour the mixture onto the base and chill for 4-6 hours.
Papaya Face Mask
Ingredients:
- ½ ripe papaya (mashed)
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp plain yogurt
Steps:
- Blend papaya until smooth.
- Mix in honey and yogurt.
- Apply to clean skin and leave for 15 minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water for hydrated, glowing skin.
Citrus Cleaning Spray
Ingredients:
- Peels from 2-3 oranges or lemons
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
Steps:
- Place citrus peels in a glass jar and cover with vinegar. Let sit for 2 weeks.
- Strain the liquid into a spray bottle and dilute with water.
- Use as a natural household cleaner.
How to Store Summer Fruits
- Choose quality fruits
Pick fruits that are ripe but not overripe and free from blemishes or bruises. - Wash and dry
Wash fruits like berries gently in a vinegar-water solution (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) to kill bacteria. Pat them dry. - Refrigerate appropriately
Store fruits like mangoes and papayas in the crisper drawer. Berries should be kept in a shallow container lined with paper towels. - Freeze for later use
Slice fruits like mangoes, bananas, and pineapples, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to airtight bags. - Preserve or dehydrate
Turn fruits into jams, chutneys, or syrups for longer storage. Alternatively, dehydrate slices using an oven or dehydrator and store in airtight containers.
Categories:
Tags:Seasonal produce
