The hottest months are the season for most of the Polish vegetables. Summer, sun-ripened vegetables are juicy and well-coloured. Their aroma is unique. So let us take advantage of their abundance. Let us enjoy the variety of forms, colours, flavors and fragrances. Holidays additionally encourages us to do more culinary experiments, for which there is often not enough time. In this article, you will find the top 5 summervegetables that should not be missing on your table.
1. Cucumbers
Crunchy, sweet, refreshing are probably the best words to describe fresh ground cucumbers. The best known is cucumber salad with a pinch of salt and sugar, served with sour cream. Tzatziki sauce with grated cucumber, seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic in thick Greek yoghurt can compete with it.
However, the ideas for cucumbers do not end there. Have you tried this delicious simple Japanese appetizer yet? Wash the cucumber and do not peel it, cut it into very thin slices. In a bowl, prepare 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar, seasoned with a pinch of salt and sugar. Pour the resulting pickling over the cucumbers, wait 10 minutes until they absorb it. Season it with a teaspoon of black sesame seeds and a pinch of finely chopped chives.
Cucumber can also be a base for a summer vegetable soup such as gazpacho. A cucumber drink is a good idea for people who want to refresh themselves. It is enough to put a few slices of cucumber, fresh mint leaves and the juice of half a lemon into a jug of water. A delicious alternative to traditional lemonade.
Do not get rid of the seeds of cucumbers, the most flavor of this vegetable is hidden in them. When serving cucumber dishes, remember about spices. A pinch of fresh chopped dill, chives or mint leaves will perfectly complete the cucumber proposals.
2. Peppers
A pepper is often called a queen of summer. It comes in all shapes, colours and sharpness. In Poland it is grown even more often than in Hungary! Therefore, let’s not miss the chance to put on our tables. Enjoy it in salads, grilled, baked, boiled and fried.
In summer, stock up and prepare pickles, multi-vegetable salads in jars or try a recipe for paprika jam. Incredibly, you can even make it sweet! Homemade spice? Nothing easier! Cut the peppers into thin strips, dry in a mushroom dryer, then blend. Sweet pepper powder will enrich many sauces.
3. Zucchini
Juicy green, shiny and crispy. Few people know that you can eat it even raw, without peeling it! New, delicate zucchini is a great idea for a dinner. Grilled, stuffed or fried, as well as in the form of meatless cutlets, it is the perfect dinner dish. For children and people on an easily digestible diet, steamed zucchini will be both healthy and delicious.
4. Squashes
ISquashes are often confused with zucchinsi. It is e asy to recognize it by its shape and color of the rind. It is usually slightly larger than zucchini. The seeds are clearly visible in its flesh and the skin is harder. It is enough to peel it, grate it, salt it and drain excess water. Add spices, egg, 2 tablespoons of flour, egg and grated cheese to the resulting mass. After 20 minutes in a preheated oven, remove the crispy golden pancakes. Bon Appetit!
5. Eggplants
Usually, the first association of an eggplant is a a purple skin, but what is interesting, t his vegetable comes in many shapes too. Its color can be both white and pitch black. Whichever you choose, eggplant is an incredibly versatile summer vegetable.
It will be great grilled, fried or baked. The chefs suggest how to get rid of its slight bitterness. Sprinkle the sliced eggplant slices with salt before cooking. When droplets appear, the bitterness will be removed from the flesh with them.
Be sure to try the golden eggplant rings coated with Parmesan cheese. Preparation will not take more than 15 minutes. Juicy eggplant in a crispy shell is the perfect vegetarian dish for a summer dinner.
If you prefer grilled dishes, try the eggplant rolls with ricotta stuffed and walnuts. It is enough to grill the eggplant slices for a while and wrap the cheese and nuts in them. There is also a traditional lecho recipe. Dice the eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes and onions into large cubes, cook for about 20 minutes until they are tender. Season with fresh herbs. A delicious filling dinner in half an hour? It’s easy with eggplant!
Enjoy summer on your plate!
Enjoy summer and its local vegetable delicacies. Diversify your dishes, play with combinations of ingredients, taste and share them with family and friends. Summer vegetables are not only healthy but also delicious!