Summer produce is bursting, and we all look forward to preparing and eating our favorite seasonal dishes. But if you are interested in some new ideas, we have found some very creative and surprising uses for your organic vegetables. These are perfect for veggies that are being harvested now or will be soon! Let us know if you try any of them.
1) Heirloom Tomatoes with Waffles
There is nothing like a Jersey tomato with a little salt or in a Caprese salad, but if you are looking for a sweet and savory idea, you can try them with waffles! This recipe uses a cornmeal waffle batter, and in addition to tomatoes, also includes some fresh basil and small chunks of parmesan cheese that melts and leaves yummy pockets in each bite.
2) Bell Peppers as Pizza Crust
Peppers are great for crudite, and you can always roast them and use as a topping for a pizza, but here is really great idea! Use the bell peppers the bottom of a pizza for a delicious and low carb treat! If you char the edges just enough to give you a nice crunch you can add tomato sauce and all your favorite toppings.
3) Jalapeno Peppers and Watermelon
Jalapeno peppers makes a nice contrast and adds a little heat when added to this sweet watermelon salad. A bit of spiciness from the jalapeño is not overwhelming and the sweet and spicy flavors are balanced well together. Try it!
4) Basil Salt, Vinegar & Syrup
Who doesn’t love pesto made with the freshest of basil this time of year? But if you have an abundance of this delicious herb and want to make a few kitchen staples, consider using it as a base for a basil salt, vinegar, or syrup. Then you can just reach for that fresh flavor year-round.
5) Eggplant Tacos
Have you ever made baked eggplant fries? Delicious on their own, they can also be combined with a bit of avocado, tomato and cilantro sauce to make a taco! Make this recipe which is perfect for vegetarians as well as anyone looking for a twist on the traditional Mexican fare.
6) Cucumber Sesame Noodles
Getting tired of cucumbers on your salads? How about using them to make sesame cucumber noodles! This is an easy, Chinese-style dish but you will need a spiralizer for the cucumbers. Once you make the noodles, just toss them in a a simple sesame oil dressing for a light and refreshing salad.
7) Swiss Chard Dip
Did you know that Swiss chard can be used in dips? An awesome way to eat more veggies! As an alternative to hummus or baba ghanoush, try making this Swiss chard and tahini dip. It may become your new favorite and you can also use your other produce for the dipping.
8) Fried Parsley Leaves
Often used as an adornment, parsley is so much more than that. Packed with nutrition is can also be added to salads, but if you want to get really creative, try making fried parsley leaves. Make this recipe and use the leaves as a wonderful topping for soup or can be served with cocktails and a cheese platter.
We at Yard2Kitchen hope that gives you some “food for thought” for creative and delicious recipe ideas. Enjoy the bounty of the season and as always, please Contact Us if you are interested in learning more about our backyard organic vegetable garden services ranging from design and installation to maintenance. Happy Summer!