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watermelon

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What’s in season in August?

Can you believe it’s already August? Summer is in full swing as evident by all of the delicious fruits and vegetables — Hello fresh berries! Yet, we can’t help but notice the fall crops starting to creep in (We’re looking at you apples!). Despite our growing anxiety that summer is slipping away all-too-soon, it’s hard not to fall in love with August produce. So many fruits make it easy to satisfy your sweet tooth the healthy way. Plus, all of those zucchinis and tomatoes make dinner a breeze. So what should you be being in August? Take this list to the grocery store and pick up some of these in-season fruits and veggies: Apples Some apples are already hitting the shelves, but in just a week or two markets and stores will have bushels of the brand new crop. Enjoy as a snack, in a dessert, in a salad —…

All the produce in season in July

Welcome to July, the first official full month of summer! By now you’re probably swimming in summer produce. Ninety degree temperatures and lots of sunlight bring tons of vibrant, colorful food options this month, particularly more fruit. Eat what’s in season, and you’ll save money and enjoy tastier foods. It’s a win/win. Summer produce doesn’t change a whole lot each month, but here’s what’s new for July: Apples Apples are thought of as a fall fruit, but many are actually ripe and ready right now. Apples have a nice, long run, so enjoy your juices, apples, dumplings, and pies, now through November. Apricots Apricots are rich in fiber and bring a healthy dose of vitamin A. Kids love their sweet flavor and smaller size. Eat them fresh, blend them in smoothies, make apricot cookies, or add to salads like this Apricot Arugula Summertime salad. Basil Celebrate the return of fresh,…

Watermelon feta guacamole

Watermelon makes a great substitute for tomatoes in this watermelon guacamole recipe — plus the rind is too cute not to use as a serving bowl. The sweetness of the watermelon tastes great with the spicy jalapeño and creamy avocado. It’s something a little different for your summertime party spread. Watermelon feta guacamole Ingredients 9 ripe avocados, pitted 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 3/4 cup chopped red onion 2-3 jalapeños, finely chopped (remove the seeds if you don’t like a lot of heat) 1/4 cup fresh squeeze lime juice 2 cups diced watermelon Salt Pepper 1 cup feta cheese crumbles (the jalapeño variety if you can find it), divided And don’t forget tortilla chips for serving! Directions Scoop out flesh from avocados into a large bowl. Smash with a fork until just slightly chunky. Add lime juice and mix until combined. Add cilantro, onion, jalapeño, watermelon, and 3/4 cup of…

Watermelon and whipped feta bruschetta bites

When it comes to summer snacks, watermelon is definitely my go-to ingredient. I use it in everything from sweet popsicles and smoothies to savory salads and spicy salsas. Here’s yet another watermelon recipe that’s bound to become a summertime staple. It’s sweet, salty, crunchy, creamy — you’ve really got to try it for yourself. The watermelon makes a deliciously unexpected substitute for tomatoes in this classic recipe. Watermelon and whipped feta bruschetta bites Ingredients 2.5 cups seedless watermelon, finely chopped 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled 1/4 cup ricotta cheese 7-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped 2 tbsp chives, chopped 1 baguette, cut into 3/4″-1″ slices Pepper Balsamic glaze 2 tbsp honey Directions Slice baguette and place slices on a baking sheet. Toast under a broiler for a few minutes, or until lightly crispy. In a food processor, combine feta crumbles and ricotta. Whip until the mixture is smooth. Spread the whipped…

Watermelon orange carrot ginger turmeric juice

Blending fresh watermelon with other ingredients makes for a refreshing, fruity beverage. This glowing orange recipe will keep you hydrated while helping you sneak in a few servings of fruits and veggies — what’s better than that? Plus, while researchers are still discovering the benefits of turmeric, it’s widely accepted that it has major benefits to your body and brain including such health heavy hitters as lowering risk of heart disease, cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease. Five simple ingredients make this a truly delicious, super healthy recipe to whip up and enjoy any time of year. Watermelon Carrot Orange Ginger Turmeric Juice Serves 4 Ingredients 6 oranges About 1/4 of a large seedless watermelon 2 large carrots About 3 inches of fresh ginger root 1 tsp ground turmeric Directions Set juicer to citrus setting (or soft fruit setting), and juice the oranges and watermelon. Set juice to medium and juice…

11 Fun Facts about watermelon, plus an easy sorbet recipe

August 3 is National Watermelon Day, but that doesn’t stop us from eating it through the entire summer. It’s a mainstay at backyard barbecues and picnics. On a hot day, there aren’t many things more delicious than a big slice of juicy watermelon, but that’s not just because it tastes great. Watermelons are 92 percent water — hence their name — and that can help you stay hydrated when the weather warms up. Here are some other tasty facts that also spell out the name of everyone’s favorite healthy summertime treat: wATERmelons are both a fruit and a vegetable Their sweet taste give the impression that watermelons are a fruit, but they’re actually considered to be both. Watermelons grow like fruit, originating from flowers pollinated by bees, and from a botanical perspective they’re a fruit since they contain seeds. But many gardeners think of them as a vegetable since they grow…

Hydrating watermelon, coconut water cooler

Watermelon, coconut water, and basil: This is just the light, refreshing drink you need to mix up things in the hydration department this summer. Eight glasses of water sounds like a lot — and that’s just the bare minimum required. If you’re outdoors or active during the day, you’re going to need a lot more. Get some flavor and added nutrition with your water in the form of this pretty pink drink. It’s low in calories but big on flavor and super refreshing. It’s a great mid-afternoon pick-me-up when the weather is warm. The coconut and watermelon flavor combination is unexpected but goes great! Watermelons are perfectly in season, so your drink will be sweet and delicious without any added sugars. Just stock up on coconut water in bulk when it’s on sale. Plus, pick some fresh herbs from your garden for that special touch. Cheers to summer! Watermelon, coconut water cooler…

Here’s how to pick the best watermelon

Watermelon is the happy fruit. It conjures images of childhood, sunny picnics and pool parties. But, one bite into a mealy, hard melon and all of the memories dry up, just like that first, terrible bite. There are, of course, ways to use less than wonderful watermelons, for example, smoothies and salsas. But when you want to bite face first into a big, juicy slice, only the ripest melon will do. The best way to avoid this underripe melon problem is to purchase the perfect melon in the first place. Here is what you need to know about picking the best watermelon: 1. Weight is wonderful No matter if it’s small or large, the best watermelon will feel heavy for its size. This weight is a sign that it’s full of water — aka. juicy flavor and not grainy fiber. Pick the heaviest one you can find. 2. Seeing spots Watermelons rest on…

14 surprising foods you can grill

If you’ve limited yourself to grilled steaks, you’re seriously missing out. Bring out your adventurous spirit this summer and give yourself more reasons to fire up those flames. Pineapple, pound cake, and pizza are just the beginning! There’s no need to eat boring food when you have a grill nearby. Start with a few of the delicious looking treats below and see what else you’re inspired to sizzle. 1. Grilled bacon Bacon can create quite a mess when cooked indoors. Try grilling it instead. Since it won’t sit in it’s own fat while cooking, it’s a slightly healthier way to cook it. Slices will be crispy and perfect for topping burgers, salads or even just for breakfast. 2. Grilled Caesar Salad You’ve had Caesar salad so many times, you always know what you’re getting. Take that basic salad to the next level with grilled Romaine and grilled croutons. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/grilled-vanilla-french-toast-51241430 3. Grilled French…

9 Tips for making the perfect fruit salad

Summertime is synonymous with fresh fruit, so it’s no wonder why we consume so much fruit salad during these warm months. It’s sweet, refreshing and so easy to make, but for those in the know, there is actually more to it than just chopping up a bunch of fruit and tossing it in a bowl. Not all fruit salads are created equal. There are a few tricks you can follow to enhance the flavors and make the dish more pleasing to the eye. Here are 9 tricks to help you make your best fruit salads this summer, and all year long. 1. Buy fruit in season Fruit is flown in daily from around the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s fresh. It was likely picked weeks ago — before it was ripe and ready. It was packaged, bruised, stored and shipped before it ever made it to your grocery market. Instead, you…