It’s summer, and you’re relaxing on the beach – parking lots packed, umbrellas spanning for miles, kids splashing in the sandbar, tide’s low, sun’s high. Summer is here, and no season is complete without the food that comes along with it.
Two things I love: Summer and the South. However, summer in the South is hot. We’re talking skin scorching, blood boiling, Nelly’s ‘Hot in Here’ kind of heat. So, on that sweltering summer day when all you want is an igloo to hide in, sometimes only specific summer treats can truly cool you down.
From experience, I’ve learned that when you are having fun, food becomes even more scrumptious, and let’s face it, summer guarantees a good time, which is precisely what makes summer food so delicious. When you’re eating these foods, you are surrounded by your friends and family – eating the food you love with the people you love. Summer food offers a plethora of fun colors, unique textures and a festive variety you can’t help but try.
Here are my top five summer eats and treats:
1. Snack: Watermelon. By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S. You can’t get more summer-y than watermelon. Watermelon is low in calories and made up of 92 percent water, so it’s guaranteed to hydrate you in this heat. Early explorers even used watermelons as canteens. The modern watermelon has options: Seeded, seedless, mini, yellow and orange, to name a few. There’s nothing like sinking your teeth into a juicy, bright red wedge of freshly cut watermelon. It’s seasonal to the summer months, so enjoy it while you can!
2. Drink: Homemade lemonade. Summer is all about fresh fruit – take advantage of it! To avoid the sugar rush and calories, use fresh lemons and splenda to create homemade lemonade. Lemons speed up your metabolism, are packed with vitamin C and are good for your skin, so they’ll ensure that summer glow. Put a pitcher in the fridge and enjoy for day. If it gets dull, throw in some fresh strawberries or raspberries to add a twist.
3. Appetizer: Fresh salsa. This dip is a healthy, refreshing way to end a summer day. To make salsa, all you need are tomatoes, an onion, a jalapeno pepper and lime juice, topped off with salt, pepper and garlic. In August, tomatoes and peppers are in full season, and a multitude of simple recipes with cilantro and fresh tomatoes can be found online. Pair your salsa with tortilla chips and a frozen margarita, and you’ll put the happy in happy hour.
4. Main meal: Throw it on the grill. We’ve got vegetables, chicken, fish, pork, hot dogs and hamburgers. Food just tastes better when it comes straight off a fiery grill, a little charred. I personally prefer charcoal over gas grills. Kebobs make for the perfect summer meal. You can call them shish kebobs, kebabs, satays or skewers: Food on a stick is great for the grill. Slide on steak, chicken or shrimp, along with vegetables, like bell peppers or cherry tomatoes. Kebobs are high in protein and also low in calories.
5. Treat: Popsicles. Strawberry, grape, lime, orange, cherry, banana, blueberry – any flavor you want. Popsicles are the ultimate symbol of summer; more than two billion are sold each year. A childhood favorite that has been reinvented for grown-up tastes, popsicles are sure to help you beat the monstrous heat.
