In this ultimate guide to summer produce, we’ll show you how to enjoy a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables. You’ll also get tips on using up all that fresh summer produce!
Now that we are fully immersed in the summer heat, we are constantly surrounded by a plethora of fresh fruits and veggies. Our farmer’s markets are bursting with beautiful produce, each stand just as colorful as the next. It’s like a tangible rainbow in front of your eyes. Simply magnificent!
With all that color, how can you not be inspired to enjoy it all? Maybe it’s just me, but the more colorful and visually interesting the plate of food in front of me is, the more fun I have eating it. I love how color can make a meal feel exciting and playful!
But what’s so fun about all these colorful foods? Just because they’re colorful, does it really make a difference? Let’s find out!
Exploring the rainbow of foods
To make things fun, we’re taking a tour of the food rainbow. Remember back in elementary school – R-O-Y-G-B-I-V? We’re going to play that game again, but with food! I’ll also share which produce to keep an eye out for while you’re shopping.
Red Foods
Red foods like tomatoes, strawberries, and red peppers add vibrant color and flavor to your meals. They’re a fun way to make your plate look more appealing and exciting!
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Cherries
- Cranberries
- Tomatoes
- Radishes
- Watermelon
Easy Recipes to Try >>
Orange Foods
Orange foods, like carrots, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers, are known for their vibrant color and naturally sweet flavor (remember what your mom told you when you were little about carrots?). They’re a fun way to add brightness and variety to your plate!
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Cantaloupe
- Apricots
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkins & other winter squashes
- Tropical fruits: oranges, tangerines, mangoes, kumquats
Delicious Recipes to Try >>
Yellow Foods
The beauty of yellow produce—like bell peppers, squash, and corn—is in the cheerful feeling it brings just by looking at it. It adds a sunny, vibrant touch to your plate, making meals feel fun and visually exciting!
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Sweet corn
- Summer Squash
- Watermelon (the yellow variety)
- Yellow beans
- Peaches & Nectarines
Refresing Recipes to Try >>
- Summer Squash Quinoa Salad
- Stone Fruit Quinoa Crumble,
- Grilled Corn & Avocado Salsa
Green Foods
Green is king, queen, prince, and princess of the food kingdom! Green fruits and vegetables—like spinach, broccoli, and peas—are vibrant, fun to eat, and add so much color and variety to your plate. I love including something green at every meal, even breakfast, because it makes my meals feel fresh and lively!
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Leafy greens: kale, lettuce, spinach, collards, swiss chard, beet greens
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Broccoli
- Green Beans
- Peas: sugar snap, shelling, snow
- Herbs: basil, thyme, cilantro, oregano, dill, marjoram, etc.
- Honeydew Melon
Easy Recipes to Try >>
- Hidden Veggie Pineapple Green Smoothie
- Creamy Broccoli Quinoa Salad
- Green Bean & Almond Quinoa Salad
- Everyday Vegan Pesto
- Tropical Kale & Quinoa Power Salad
- Cucumber & Avocado Quinoa Salad
Blue Foods
There aren’t many naturally occurring blue foods (some span the blue/purple realm), but blueberries are a standout star. They’re tasty, versatile, and make a refreshing summer snack!
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Blueberries
Delicious Recipes to Try >>
- Banana Blueberry Crumble
- Fluffy Vegan Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes
- Blueberry Banana Bread
- Blueberry Quinoa Breakfast Bars
Purple Foods
Purple foods are beautiful and fun to eat. They add vibrant color to your meals, making your plate look exciting and appealing. Plus, they taste great in a variety of dishes!
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Eggplant
- Beets
- Blackberries
- Figs
- Plums
- Cabbage
Easy Recipes to Try >>
Ready to “Eat the Rainbow”?
Okay, now that you’ve seen all the fun ways to use colorful foods, aren’t you excited to make a rainbow on your plate? We’d love to hear what you end up making!
Be sure to follow along on Instagram as we share all the colorful and delicious foods we’ll be enjoying all summer long!
Your turn…
And now we'd love to hear from you: what’s your favorite color food? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you love to whip up in the summertime! We're partial to berries and greens, but that's probably because we love smoothies so much 😉