To make your summer dishes even more healthy and colourful, here are our tips about which fruit and vegetables to buy this month!
Friggitello peppers. Originally from Mexico and introduced into Europe by the Spanish after the discovery of the New World, friggitello peppers, also known as sweet Italian peppers or friarelli, belong to the Solanaceae family. Featuring an elongated shape similar to chilli peppers, with a bright green colour and sweet flavour, they are now mainly grown in southern Italy. Rich in vitamins A and C, they also contain good amounts of potassium and fibre. They can be fried, hence their name (friggere means to fry in Italian), but they are also great grilled, baked, stuffed or raw in salads. They are often seasoned with olive oil, garlic and salt, and can be served as a starter, side dish or main course.
Sweetcorn. Sweetcorn is a variety of maize which gets its name from the Spanish maíz, originating from the Taino word mahis. This plant, originally from central Mexico, was a staple part of pre-Hispanic Mexican cuisine. The ear or cob is formed of kernels in straight rows, varying in size, shape and colour (yellow, white, red and blue). Rich in carbohydrates, B vitamins, magnesium and phosphorus, sweetcorn has a sweet flavour and can be cooked as the kernels or whole cob, or by using corn starch, flour or oil. The kernels are perfect in salads or as a side dish, the flour is great for polenta and sweet or savoury recipes, while corn starch is used in cooking and cosmetics. Corn oil is light and healthy and great for seasoning food.
Purple potatoes. Commonly found in South America, particularly in Peru, purple potatoes are now also successfully grown and sold in Europe, especially in Italy and France. They have bright purple flesh and skin, due to the presence of powerful antioxidants known as anthocyanins. Their flavour is slightly reminiscent of hazelnuts and sweeter than normal potatoes. They are a good source of vitamin C and also contain B vitamins, such as B6 and folic acid, as well as minerals such as potassium, iron and magnesium. Their fine, floury flesh makes them perfect for making excellent gnocchi, creamy mash and crispy chips, while their characteristic purple colour will help add a touch of imagination and originality to your dishes, such as in this Octopus, celery and Bleuet potato salad.
Piel de Sapo melon. Also known as the toad skin melon, this melon gets its name from its green, rough and slightly spotted skin, which actually looks like toad skin. It has an elongated shape and white, sweet, juicy flesh. Although originally from Spain, in Italy, it is mainly grown in Sardinia. It is a rich source of vitamins, especially A and C, which support the immune system and healthy eyesight, bones and teeth. It is also rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron. It is great in summer dishes, starters and salads, paired with ham or other cured meats.
Greengage. An old, hardy variety of Common Plum (Prunus domestica), greengages were originally called Reine Claude named after Claude of France, the eldest daughter of King Louis XII of France. Greengages have roundish, not very attractive fruits but they have an excellent flavour profile. They are an average size, while the skin can vary from light green to golden yellow and the flesh is greenish-yellow, juicy and outstanding when ripe. Rich in vitamins A, B and C, they are a good source of potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium. They can be eaten fresh in a table fruit bowl, or alternatively used to make jams, marmalades, cakes and desserts.
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