One of my favourite things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and veggies that are available at local farmer’s markets all across Ontario. Nothing beats the yummy freshness of getting food straight from its source!
This past weekend, my family and I decided to take a day trip to a blueberry farm out in the country, which is open to the public during the month of August to “pick your own” berries.
Admittedly, this has been a dream of mine for a while, taking me back to my very first summer job when I lived on the East Coast and raked blueberries as a teen. It was hard work, crouching down in the bushes for several hours under the hot sun, trying to fill as many pails of berries as possible in a day. But I also remember the peaceful feeling of being connected with the Earth, and of course the sweet, sweet taste of those delicious berries!
Blueberries are one of the most nutrient-dense berries, containing vitamins C and K, as well as Manganese, and as powerful anti-oxidants, they neutralize free radicals and help slow down the aging process.
Here is a favourite summer recipe of mine,
Grilled Peach, Blueberry, and Walnut Salad
Ingredients
Salad Dressing
- 4 tablespoons of walnut or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- pinch of sea salt
Salad
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
- 8-10 cups of red leaf lettuce, or try a mixture of arugula and spinach
- 3 ripe peaches, pitted and cut in pieces large enough to grill
- 3 tablespoons goat cheese
Directions
- Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl
- Brush the peach slices with dressing and place on a hot grill for a few minutes (until they are soft and have grill marks)
- Add lettuce mix, blueberries, grilled peaches, walnuts and goat cheese to a salad bowl, drizzle with dressing, toss and enjoy!
