Summer is coming and that means one thing above all: now is the absolute peak season for crisp, fresh fruit and vegetables! Whether tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes or carrots - all these fruits and vegetables are now full of flavour, healthy nutrients and vitamins. But summer will not only be extremely healthy, it will also finally be colourful on our plates again. The "5 a day" rule of thumb, i.e. 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, is therefore extremely easy to implement thanks to the huge variety on offer. Ideally, you should opt for regional organic produce and take advantage of the nice weather to take a stroll to the vegetable market. We'll tell you what Mother Nature has to offer in summer!
Go green! You should definitely eat these vegetables regularly in summer
Our top vegetables in summer
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the classic summer varieties and are available in many different shapes and colours, especially in the warmer months of the year. However, tomatoes are not only more colourful in summer - they also taste really aromatic, juicy and fruity. Whether as a snack, as a topping for a salad or as a homemade tomato sauce - the summery, Mediterranean flavour is definitely guaranteed.
Cucumbers
Another vegetable that you shouldn't do without in summer: Cucumbers! Cucumbers contain a lot of water and are a low-calorie snack. The skin in particular is rich in vitamins B, C and E and contains important minerals. Cucumbers are great for light summer salads, spreads or delicious gazpacho. Refreshment is definitely guaranteed!
Paprika
Did you know that red peppers contain more than twice as much vitamin C as oranges? If that's not reason enough to reach for peppers regularly in the summer months. The colourful peppers are best eaten raw as they are easier to digest.
Courgette
Another all-rounder in the kitchen: courgettes. This vegetable has very little flavour of its own and yet is packed with vitamins and minerals. Courgettes are ideal for sauces, for stuffing or as a hidden ingredient in various dishes, but they also cut a fine figure on the barbecue.
Aubergine
Another vegetable that should not be missed, especially in Mediterranean and Oriental cuisine. Aubergines can be baked, grilled, steamed or fried and are ideal for a low-carb diet. The aubergine contains vitamins and minerals and stimulates digestion.
Radish
What could be better than a delicious sandwich with cream cheese and radish slices? The small red and white tubers contain lots of vitamin C and can be a little hot and spicy, depending on the variety. Radishes are usually eaten raw and are excellent in salads.
Carrots
No matter what you call them - carrots, turnips, carrots - the orange-coloured power packets always work. As a snack to nibble on as well as in sauces or from the oven. And that's a good thing, because they are high in fibre, provitamin A and folic acid.
Peas and mangetout
The height of summer is the perfect time to buy fresh peas. Frozen peas are a great ingredient for many dishes all year round - but they taste different and much more flavourful when fresh. Peas are also a very good source of fibre, vitamin B, folic acid and iron. Sugar snap peas are a subspecies of peas and, unlike peas, are eaten with the skin on. However, they should be eaten as fresh as possible and not left in the fridge for too long. Great finger food and a very good source of protein.
As you can see, we really do get a bounty of delicious vegetables in summer. There is hardly any other time of year when it is so good to buy regional and seasonal produce - after all, we have a huge selection to choose from in summer so that our diet is always varied.