Best Fruits and Vegetables for Summer Salads

Summer is one of the 4 seasons that come between spring and autumn. It is the warmest of all seasons and has the shortest nights and longest days. Summers in most places are warm or hot and pleasant in very few places. There are a lot of things that one can plan to do during summers and take advantage of the long sultry days by utilizing it towards summer-drawn activities.
There are summer specific foods and fruits to comfort oneself during this season; this is also the time to indulge in salads and juices and a host of summer borne vegetables. For some, summer can be a favorite and fun season where one can indulge in barbecues, pool parties, and picnics in the sun but for some, summers are a dreaded ‘sweat season’ since many would not be happy to sweat it out.

Summer fruits and vegetables are palatable no doubt but since they are seasonal they are around for a short span. Some of the fruits or vegetables freeze well so one can store them for darker days. One such is the blackcurrants which can be stored and had over the next few months but of course they are enjoyed the best in their freshest and youngest.

Vegetables are a healthy option cooked light or raw. Fruits can be added to salads which would make it more palatable, refreshing and healthy. Salads can be served at any point during any meal. They may be eaten as appetizers as a starter, side salad to accompany a meal, the main salad as the main dish or entree, or a dessert salad, a sweet version to replace the unhealthy dessert that we might usually want to avoid.
Salads may be natural and green with lettuce leafs and raw vegetables or could be accompanied with a dressing or sauce. It can also be based on noodles, pasta or potatoes. Though most salads are traditionally served cold, potato salad may be a warm option also. Various garnishes and nuts can be added to salads to make it more appetizing and healthy. Sometimes there is also an addition of meats, fish and eggs to make it more filling and wholesome.
During summer with the heat and sweating our appetite decrease and it becomes more important to meet our daily nutrition requirements. What better way than salads to meet all the nutrition the body needs with its combination of grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables. Since salads can be made or prepared in such diversified ways the novelty never dies and the versatility of the food makes it interesting to prepare as well as consume.
Salads are fresh, refreshing and healthy and come with unlimited options of food combination. Though chilled salads are the most refreshing on summer days, the warm salads are also filling and an alternative to hot meals. Since Salads require little or no cooking the convenience also makes it more sought after and popular. Salads help in weight management and take care of the skin, inner health and good living. It should form an important part of our daily meals right from childhood.