summer produce • Nikki Kuban Minton

How to Pickle Vegetables at Home

Nikki — Mon, 17 May 2021 18:00:38 +0000

Garden season is fast approaching, so many are in the decision making process on what they should plant this year. We always plant the staples… tomatoes and peppers, but every year we like to switch it up. What are some of your favorite fruits and veggies to grow? Sometimes it’s hard to decide especially if you think you won’t be able to use all the produce that grows, but something I have been thinking about doing this year is pickling vegetables. Almost anything can be pickled and it’s actually quite simple to do at home. You just need a few materials, a little time, and the product you’re pickling. It’s a great way to use any vegetables that would go to waste if you didn’t store them for a later date. Freezing is also another great way to make your fruits and veggies last all year long. If you would like to learn more about pickling at home, check out the link below for 5 easy steps on pickling vegetables. It’s a great family activity as well!!

Learn How to Pickle Vegetables at Home

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Bahama Smash Bowl

Nikki — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 20:00:31 +0000

Summer is winding down, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy a fruit smoothie and imagine that you are sitting on a beach somewhere?!?! Bahama Smash Bowl is a smoothie that is full of protein and fiber as well as refreshing and flavorful. The watermelon bowl is optional but a nice addition to any summer day!! “Close eyes while you’re sipping on this beauty and you’ll be transported to a pink sand beach in the Caribbean!”

Ingredients

1 mini watermelon

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

I cup ice

1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology

½ large banana, peeled, frozen

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

2 tsp. finely grated lime peel

½ tsp. pure rum extract

Instructions

Cut watermelon in half; cover and refrigerate half for another use.
To create a bowl, use a large spoon to scoop out flesh from remaining half. Reserve 1 cup; store remaining watermelon refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Place coconut milk beverage, ice, Shakeology, watermelon, banana, lime juice, lime zest, and extract in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
Pour into watermelon bowl (or glass); serve immediately.

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Summer Produce List (MidWest)

Nikki — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 18:00:18 +0000

The fourth summer produce region is Midwest. Summer has officially arrived and the produce lists are full of so many wonderful fruits and veggies!! Remember farmer’s markets and local farms also have fresh produce that may even cost a little less than the grocery stores. Be on the lookout for some great summer recipes using these produce items.

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Summer Produce List (West)

Nikki — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 18:00:35 +0000

The third summer produce region is West. A lot of great fruits and veggies on this list and even if you don’t live in the West part of the country, some of these produce items are still available during the summer because they are shipped from those states. Some stores will put signs in front of the produce to tell you what area they came from, but don’t be shy to ask someone if it doesn’t tell you.

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Why You Should You Eat Figs

Nikki — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 16:54:17 +0000

Figs are on the summer produce list and if you aren’t sure what a fig is or how you should eat one, then the following link is a perfect read. A fig is a soft, sweet fruit that grows on a ficus tree. There are more than 850 kinds of fig trees, and they can be eaten when ripe or dried. Check out the link below for everything you need to know about figs… how to store a fig, how to eat a fig, health benefits of figs, and how to choose a fig.

Why You Should Eat Figs

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Summer Produce List (Southeast)

Nikki — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:00:06 +0000

The second summer produce region is the Southeast. In the Southeast region, the weather is a little warmer so the produce available may reflect that, but there is also some overlap from the Northeast list. So many different options for fresh produce this summer and that makes me so happy!! What are some of your favorite summer dishes? Throughout the summer months, I will be sharing some of our favorites with you all.

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Bell Pepper Cabbage Slaw

Nikki — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 20:00:15 +0000

It’s barbeque season, and I love accompanying any grilled item with some salads!! Coleslaws are often a huge hit at picnics and there are so many varieties. This next recipe showcases another produce item on the summer list, cabbage. Cabbage comes in a variety of options, but whatever one may be your favorite can be used in Bell Pepper Cabbage Slaw. This recipe skips the mayo so it’s a healthier option, and has a little bit of a tangy flavor from the peppers.

Bell Pepper and Cabbage Slaw

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Quinoa-Argula Bowl with Peaches and Avocado

Nikki — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 15:00:06 +0000

Peaches are on the Summer produce list and are a favorite of mine. Such a diverse fruit that I don’t think it gets enough credit or use in the kitchen. Peaches can be baked, grilled, blended, and eaten raw. They are often used as a sweet ingredient but taste delicious in savory recipes as well like the one below. Quinoa-Arugula Bowl with Peaches and Avocado is a quick and easy lunch option with many different textures, colors, and flavors. If you like quinoa and struggle to find a way to spruce it up, you have to give this recipe a try!!

https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/quinoa-arugula-bowl-with-peaches-and-avocado

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Summer Produce List (Northeast)

Nikki — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 18:18:51 +0000

School is coming to an end and summer break is starting to begin. With the summer season fast approaching, the availability of produce is becoming more and more vast. Since there are so many fresh veggies and fruits on the summer produce list, I found smaller lists according to the regions in which you may live in. The first one is Northeast and as you can see there are many produce items to choose from. Throughout June, I will post each region and the fruits and veggies that you may find in that area. I will also share some healthy recipes to go with the produce on the lists.

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Summer Squash vs. Winter Squash

Nikki — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 15:00:11 +0000

Let’s talk squash… what is the difference between summer and winter squash when they look so similar? The biggest difference is the type of skin they have… summer squash is a soft-skinned squash with a moist flesh, while winter is more of a hard-shelled squash with a firm flesh. Summer quash is harvested from early summer through late summer, and winter is harvested from late summer through early winter. Check out the link below for some more facts about summer and winter squashes, and what makes them different from each other. https://harvesttotable.com/squash_or_zucchini_whats_in_a/

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