17 Ways to Enjoy Your Favorite Summer Fruits

17 Ways to Enjoy Your Favorite Summer Fruits
(Shutterstock*)
7/12/2014
Updated:
7/12/2014

Summer fruits are typically cold and refreshing, and can provide just the right amount of sweetness to keep those taste buds satisfied on a hot and humid day. In season summer fruits can include mangos, coconuts, pears, strawberries, peaches and berries. These fruits all provide a variety of health benefits, including being loaded with vitamins and in some cases, antioxidants as well.

Luckily enough, there are a variety of ways that you can enjoy these summer fruits and we’ve rounded up some of the best ways to enjoy these delicious, juicy treats.

1.    Fruit Salads

Fruit salads are one of the easiest ways to enjoy a melody of fruits and can be great for breakfast or as a light after dinner dessert as well. 

2.    Grilled Fruit

Grilling fruits are a welcome addition to any barbeque and can be grilled on their own or added to skewers. The next time you’re barbecuing, try throwing some pineapple on the grill for a zesty addition to your meal.

3.    Marinades

Marinades can make or break your barbeque, and choosing the right fruit can add the right kick to your meal. Cherries work great as a marinade, and can help with post-workout muscle recovery.

4.    Frozen Fruit

Frozen fruit can be a quick and resourceful way to bulk up your smoothies, but they can also lightly flavor your drinks as well. Try freezing some raspberries and dropping them into some ice water for more of a kick.

5.    Fruit Salsas

Traditional salsas are heavy on tomatoes, but if you’re looking to mix things up a bit, try this delicious watermelon and mango salsaWatermelons are loaded with vitamins and also lycopene, which can help fight cardiovascular disease.


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6.    Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to start your day, and depending on what’s in them, can provide a host of health benefits. Try Andrea’s very own Green Smoothie recipe for an energizing treat.

7.    Juices

Juicing is another great way to ensure you’re getting enough fruit servings a day, and can also help boost your overall energy levels.

8.    Raw

This one’s pretty straight forward. There really is nothing like enjoying a piece of fruit raw and on its own. Apples and pears are both loaded with vitamins and nutrients, and can be the perfect post-meal dessert, as they contain just the right amount of sweetness.

9.    Dried Fruit

Drying fruit is a hobby for some and can be a great way to preserve fruit to enjoy later. If you’re a bit of a newbie when it comes to drying fruit, check out our article here on how to get started.

10.    Trail Mixes

Once you’ve become a master at drying and preserving fruit, adding them to your trail mixes can bring just the right amount of sweetness to your snack. Trail mixes are normally filled with peanuts, almonds and seeds, and adding dried fruit like cranberries or apples can add a necessary sweetness to keep your snack fresh and tasty.

11.    Desserts and Pies

For those of you with a bit of a sweet tooth, fresh fruits work great in dessert pies. Try Lauren Cahn’s Three Fruit Summer pie, which is guaranteed to please.

12.    Fresh Fruit and Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is all the rage now, as its typically low in calories but high in protein. It’s a great snack, but it can be made even better by adding fresh fruit to it. Try adding fresh strawberries to increase your antioxidant intake.

13.    Jams

Jams can be a great addition to your toast in the morning, and if made the right way can be nutritious as well. Try this recipe for a strawberry and raspberry jam.

14.    Lemonades

Lemonades are a summer past time, and there’s no reason you can’t infuse yours with some fresh fruit. 


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15.    Fruit Cakes

Traditional dessert cakes can be loaded with excess fat and even artificial flavors. If you’re looking for a great dessert, try this great Vegan Lemon Coconut Cake with Strawberries. It’s dairy, gluten and egg-free.

16.    Slushie’s

Similar to smoothies, but maybe more for the kids (or the kid at heart!), slushies can be a refreshing treat for anyone, and if made the right way can be a healthy choice too. Most store bought slushies are loaded with gross artificial syrups, but its easy to make your own.

17.    Toppings

This is the easiest one! Any fruit of your liking can make a great topping to almost any dish. You can add fresh fruit to water, blueberries to cereals, or strawberries to your salad. Be creative!

This article was originally published on www.NaturallySavvy.com

*Images of “fruit salad“, ”smoothie“ and ”cake“ via Shutterstock

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