Megan Callahan, MS, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian
515-695-3786
July 18, 2020
Hy-Vee does it best when it comes to finding the finest and freshest produce. Berries, melon, cherries, peaches, plums and apricots are just some of summer’s offerings ready for salads, desserts and the grill. Hy-Vee works only with the best growers to ensure the highest quality produce for our customers.
Selection and storage play an important role in providing satisfaction to your taste buds this summer. When selecting your favorite summertime fruit, you want berries to be plump and bright in color, as they pack a powerful punch of antioxidants, which keep cells healthy and help fend off chronic disease. Berries are also rich in fiber and vitamin C. Store berries unwashed in the refrigerator and rinse right before consuming. Melons should be firm to the touch and free of bruises or blemishes; store them whole at room temperature or sliced in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for best quality. Melons also have powerful antioxidants and are rich in folate, vitamin C and potassium. Cherries are definitely a summer favorite and they should be dark, firm, glossy and vibrant; store them in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Cherries rank high on the nutrition chart as they are filled with powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins which have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation.
Peaches, plums and apricots fall into the stone fruit category; when selecting, look for fruit that is slightly firm but soft to the touch. Store unripe in paper bag for 2 to 3 days until ripe, or store ripe in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Stone fruit is rich in fiber and contain chemical compounds that may help lower blood pressure, fend off cancer and fight certain diseases. Tropical fruit like kiwi and mangoes are very popular this time of the year. Start with selecting those that are unblemished and have a slight give to the touch. Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator. If unripe, store mangoes in a paper bag with an apple to ripen, then move to the refrigerator after ripe. Mangoes and kiwi are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants; and mango fiber is a valuable prebiotic, meaning that it’s food for immune-boosting bacteria for your gut.
Find all of your summer produce favorites in your local Hy-Vee produce department and stock your cart with in-season fresh fruit at its peak ripeness and flavor this summer!
Peach & Burrata Salad
Serves 6
All You Need:
1 head butter lettuce, cored and separated into leaves
1 cup baby spinach
1 (8 oz) tube Burrata cheese, drained
2 medium yellow peaches, pitted and sliced
2/3 cup multi-color grape tomatoes
Hy-Vee Mediterranean Sea salt, to taste
2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
½ tsp orange zest
2 tbsp fresh orange juice
1 tsp Hy-Vee honey
1/3 cup Gustare Vita olive oil
Hy-Vee coarse black pepper, to taste
Hy-Vee crushed red pepper, for garnish
All you do:
- Arrange lettuce leaves and spinach on large serving platter. Top with cheese, peaches and tomatoes. Lightly sprinkle cheese with salt.
- Combine vinegar, orange zest, orange juice and honey in small bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle vinaigrette on salad. Garnish with crushed red pepper if desired.
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
