The Hometown Treasure August 2011 | Page 19

Nature’s Fruits of on Summer summer; Grapes, late summer and early fall; Huckleberries, late summer and early fall; Melons, summer and early fall; Peaches, summer; Pears, fall; Raspberries (red & black), summer; Rhubarb, spring and early summer; Strawberries, spring and summer; Tomatoes (yes, they are considered a fruit), summer; and Watermelons, summer. Keep your eyes open, though. Some summer fruits and vegetables are around for only a very short span, so make the most of them when you do spot them. Some freeze well, so if you have a particular passion, mine's black raspberries and blueberries, it's worth freezing a few so that you can enjoy that particular burst of flavor again, when the days are darker. But in the main, eat for the day, and always enjoy the seasonal offerings at their freshest and youngest. Remember to choose fruit, but organic whenever you can. Think simple. Many are at their most delicious served with little adornment, so that the flavor isn't masked. Be creative for other ways to use summer fruit, think about cold soups, salads, quiches and tarts, in sauces for pasta, risottos, as crudités with dips, in wine cups, ice creams, sorbets or mousses. There are dozens of delicious ways to use seasonal fruit . Oh yes, please do not forget your veggies as well, as they are very important too. I know I reported mostly about our fruits but getting the right amount of vegetables is as crucial as well. Enjoy the rest of the summer! I would like to leave you with some funny fruit comments that joke at your yoke. How does a ghost eat an apple? Phone: 260-463-4901 • Fax 888-439-6528 • The Hometown Treasure By goblin it! What is King Kong's favorite food? Ape-ricots! What do you call an apple that plays the trumpet? A tooty fruity! What kind of apple has a short temper? A crab apple! Why did the Tomato go out with a prune? Because he couldn't find a date! How do you fix a broken tomato? Tomato paste! Why did the grape stop in the middle of the road? Because he ran out of juice! What happens to grapes when you step on them? They wine! Page 19 As part of a nutritious, seasonal meal and or snack, try cutting up some fresh fruit and/or pick it from the source and eat it as you enjoy the atmosphere of the great outdoors. Summer is a great time to enjoy everything the season has to offer, including an abundance of fresh, tasty produce at its peak! One of many of my favorites has been picking fresh wild black raspberries here lately. We have a lot this year and are so blessed to have these tasty, little black morsels. But, it doesn’t stop there, the summer season of fresh fruits is in full swing although some fruits have passed such as our strawberries and others will continue throughout the summer and into the fall season when our grapes and apples will start their particular season. For healthy meals and/or snacks, follow up with a fresh fruit salad of melon, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, cherries, peaches and other fruits. The vibrant colors will liven up your meal, and the appealing flavors and aromas will taunt your taste buds with sensations as you experience fruits of the living spirits, literality. Fruits and/or vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other nutrients that are important for good health and just plain make you feel good all over. You feel refreshed and full of energy, I know I do when I eat these kinds of foods. Co ?&VBF?V??Rv??VB???6?????V?G0??bg'V?G2?BfVvWF&?W2?F??6Rv??VB??&RvV?W&?W0???V?G2?2'B?b?V?F??F?WB?&R??V?F??fP?&VGV6VB&?6??b6?&???2F?6V6W2?F?W6RF?6V6W0???6?VFR7G&??R?G?R"F?&WFW2?6??RG?W2?b6?6W"???BW&?2?V'BF?6V6R?B??v?&???B&W77W&R????7Bg'V?G2?BfVvWF&?W2&R?GW&????r???fB?B6??&?W2?6?7V'7F?GWF??rF?V?f?"??v??6??&?P?f??G26?&R6??&?R?&VGV6??r7G&FVw??v?V?B??RF?v?fR??RwV?FRF?v?V???R6??W?V7BF?W6RG?W2?bg'V?G2?'WB&V"????BF?P?vVF?W"?2??BF?F?v?F?F?W6RG?W2?bf7F?'2?@??F?W"6??FR6??vW2?2vV?W&?'V?RF?W6R&RF?P?6V6??2?bg'V?G2f?"F??2&V?????fR6??VB6??R??'WBF?W6R&R6??R?bF?R&6?2g'V?G2???W2??FR7V??W"?V&?f?ò&?6?G2??FP?7&??rF?&?Vv?V&?7V??W#?&?6?&W'&?W2?7V??W#??&?VV&W'&?W2?7V??W#?&??6V?&W'&?W2?V&?7V??W#??6?W'&?W2??FR7&??r?B7V??W#?v??6V&W'&?W2???VwW7B#??VwW7B#???7?F?v?B?GW&P?'?Ff?B??R???F???7FW"?GW&?7@???