Summer’s Bounty: What to Eat in Summer Days

Long, sunny days have arrived. With warm weather comes a new bounty of seasonal crops, and there’s nothing quite like exploring the colorful stalls at the local farmer’s market during summertime.

Many popular warm-weather foods are nutritionally dense, offering the added bonus of helping you get the vitamins and nutrients you need to remain healthy. At The Moorings at Lewes, we’ve created a list of some of our favorite seasonal foods and recipes for summer.

Best Summer Foods and Recipes for Health, Taste

Strawberries and Blueberries: Berries are considered among the healthiest foods on Earth, and strawberries and blueberries are at their peak during summer months. Strawberries are packed with fiber, folate, and potassium, and blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and believed to have the highest levels among fruits and vegetables. Consumption of strawberries and blueberries is even linked to improved cardiovascular health – one study found that eating berries decreased your risk of heart attack by up to 34%.

Watermelon: This fruit offers the traditional taste of summer. Watermelon is low in fat and has more of the cancer-combating antioxidant lycopene than any other fresh produce. Watermelon also contains significant amounts of vitamins and is packed with potassium, which is important for those suffering from a potassium deficiency sometimes brought on by blood pressure medications.

Bell Peppers: Bell peppers taste great and are served either raw, to dip in hummus or a yogurt-based veggie dip, or cooked, whether it be stuffed peppers or fajitas. This diverse veggie is loaded with vitamins and minerals. In fact, one medium-sized red bell pepper provides 169% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, making it one of the richest dietary sources of this essential nutrient.

Caprese Salad: A simple side composed of just five ingredients, caprese salad features a burst of flavor perfect alongside a grilled piece of chicken or fish for dinner. Tomatoes are a seasonal staple and are a major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Pan-Grilled Chicken with Peach Salsa: This 20-minute recipe offers a balanced, healthy meal while giving you the time you need to spend with loved ones. Juicy peaches featured in the salsa are particularly ripe and flavorful from mid-May to mid-August and are a great source of vitamin C, which helps build connective tissue and strengthens the immune system.

Enjoy Meals Featuring Seasonal Foods at The Moorings at Lewes

Our dining team at The Moorings at Lewes ensure the freshest ingredients are featured in meals by tailoring menus to what’s in season. Quality and nutrient-rich ingredients are the things that set us apart and make our food special. We’d love for you to visit and join us for a meal – contact us today to schedule your personal tour.