Temperatures are rising and we’re getting hungrier for fresh food and light meals. Here are a few typical delights from the vegetable garden at this time of year, which will freshen up your summer menus.

Cucumbers. Crunchy, delicate and rich in water, cucumbers are the perfect fresh note to finish off delicious mixed salads.

Aubergines. An essential vegetable for barbecues? Aubergines! Excellent for serving grilled, you can give them an even more ‘summery’ touch by seasoning them with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a few mint leaves.

Tomatoes. What would summer meals be without tomatoes? Together with potatoes, this essential ingredient is perhaps one of the most versatile foods for cooking. In summer, it’s perfect in salads, together with mozzarella and basil to make a delicious caprese salad or in pasta salads.

Apricots. Small, sweet and rich in vitamins, apricots are perfect for eating in fresh fruit salads or on their own as a healthy hunger-busting snack.

Watermelon. With its unrivalled freshness, watermelons are quintessentially the most evocative summer fruit. They’re excellent at the end of a meal or as a snack, for staying hydrated with a sweet bite during the sweltering summer months.

Cherries. You know what they say about cherries... they're moreish! And this is very true, it’s impossible to resist the sweetness and juiciness of these small fruits, one of the most popular snacks around. They're also perfect for breakfast, for giving delicate creamy desserts an extra special touch or for enriching simple plain yoghurt.

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