Fitness + Nutrition

’Tis the season to stock your kitchen with summer’s best produce

By Lisa Washington

Summertime is here, and she’s ready to offer up her best harvest to help keep you fit and fulfilled. Here’s a list of fresh fruits and vegetables, available from your favorite store or farmers market, that are great to keep on hand this time of year.

Apples

Asparagus

Avocados

Berries Cherries Cucumbers Green Beans Peaches Strawberries Tomatoes Watermelons Zucchini

There are countless ways you can use your summer produce, such as adding berries to a smoothie or chopping and adding raw cucumbers and green beans to a salad for extra crunch. Also, did you know you can use zucchini as a substitute for pasta? All you need is a spiralizer and, presto, you have zucchini noodles. The key to summer cooking is to keep it fresh, simple and delicious. Here’s a recipe for an easy but elegant side dish you can whip up all season long.

Blanched Asparagus with a Ground Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette

Vinaigrette: • 3 cup Champagne vinegar • 2 teaspoons ground mustard • 1 lemon, juiced • 1 small shallot, finely diced • 1 teaspoon honey • ¼ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon pepper • ½ cup olive oil

Add all ingredients except olive oil to mixing bowl and whisk together. Slowly add oil and whisk vigorously until dressing is combined. Set aside.

Asparagus: • 1 bunch asparagus • Salt and pepper to taste Fill medium saucepan halfway with lightly salted water. Bring to a boil. While water is heating, rinse asparagus thoroughly, break off any tough, white bottoms and discard. Cut spears into 1- to 2-inch sections, slicing asparagus at slight diagonal. Blanch asparagus by adding it to the boiling water and lowering the heat slightly to maintain a simmer. Parboil asparagus for 2 minutes. Drain water. While asparagus is still hot, toss it in a bowl with a generous amount of the vinaigrette or plate the asparagus and drizzle the vinaigrette over it. Add an optional topping of shaved Parmesan. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.