Summer Vegetables and Fruits

Fresh summer vegetables and fruits are one of the glorious parts of summer. It is hard to pinpoint which ones are my favorite. Some include berries, cherries as well as peaches and nectarines.

But don't forget corn on the cob right off the corn plant. And we can't forget watermelon, my and one of my kids, all time summer favorites.

It is a great time to learn how to can or freeze fresh summer vegetables and fruits to have during the winter months.

summer fruit banner

Summertime Vegetable: Corn

Learn more about corn food facts

Corn Chowder
3 Cup milk
6-8 slices bacon fried, optional
2 cans creamed corn or fresh corn on the cob cooked and cut off cob about 3-4 Cups
2 Cup potatoes, peeled, boiled, cubed
1 teaspoon salt
˝ Cup shredded cheese
pepper
Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender. Fry bacon in microwave or in skillet. In large pan add milk, corn, cooked potatoes and salt. Cook until corn is tender or soup is heated through. Season with pepper. Spoon into serving bowls. Sprinkle each helping with cheese and bacon.

Grilled Corn
6 to 8 ears of corn, husks and silk removed, trimmed
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
Mix butter, cheese, salt and pepper in bowl. Roll each corn cob in butter mixture and wrap in tin foil. Have an adult grill for 15 minutes.

Summertime: Summer Squashes and Zucchini

Learn more about zucchini food facts

Zucchini Bread
2 Cup grated zucchini
3 eggs
2 Cups sugar
1 Cup oil
3 teaspoon Vanilla
3 Cups flour
1 teaspoon Baking soda
Ľ teaspoon Baking powder
1 teaspoon Salt
3 teaspoon Cinnamon
Have child grate zucchini. Then in mixing bowl add eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Blend together. Add in baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon to mixture. Blend together. Finally add zucchini. Stir and pour into greased bread loaf pan or muffin liners. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or 20 minutes if making muffins. They are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Simple Squash
2 yellow squash, cut in half lengthwise
butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Have an adult cut yellow squash in half lengthwise. Place squash in casserole dish. Spread each half with butter then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cheese. Have an adult bake at 400 degrees until cheese is melted about 15-20.

Summertime Fruit: Strawberries

Learn more about strawberries

Strawberry Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach
Fruit of choice: sliced strawberries, sliced kiwi, taste great and add nice color to your salad but choose whatever you'd like
Spinach Salad Dressing
1 Cup oil
4 Tablespoon sour cream
5 Tablespoon vinegar
˝ teaspoon mustard
2 garlic cloves
˝ teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoon parsley
In a jar or salad shaker, add oil and sour cream. Then mix in vinegar and other ingredients. Store in the fridge until ready to serve. Shake well before using.

Strawberry Muffins
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped strawberries

In mixing bowl combine milk, oil and egg. Blend in flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Blend until smooth. Stir by hand or gently add in chopped strawberries.
Add mini or regular muffin liners to muffin pans. Add spoonfuls of dough into muffin liners. Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.