July: What's Up With Food & Nutrition?

JULY HARVEST OF THE MONTH: SUMMER SQUASH!
Summer is the time for crops like beans, blueberries, broccoli, cauliflower, cherries, corn, cucumbers, flowers, herbs, peaches, peas, raspberries, squash and tomatoes. You can also find other local foods all year long such as maple syrup, honey, eggs, meats, and dairy products at farm stores and roadside stands. Don't forget to look out for Farmers Markets opening up this month to buy these products too!
To learn how to freeze or can squash to enjoy later in the year, visit National Center for Home Food Preservation, including this tasty summer squash relish recipe. SNAP-ed also has lots of summer squash recipes to try like these zucchini muffins recipe.

RECIPES

Zucchini Hummus

(Servings: 8)

Ingredients:

• 1 medium zucchini
• 1/2 avocado
• 1/4 c. tahini
• 1/4 lemon juice
• 3 “ garlic scapes, diced or 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• pinch paprika

Directions:

1. Blend in with immersion blender or in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
2. Serve with pita chips or carrots for dipping.

Recipe adapted from: Undiet Cook Book

Summer Squash or Zucchini Pickles

Recipe makes about 5 pint jars.

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds summer squash (or zucchini)
• ½ cup canning salt
• 1 quart vinegar (5%)
• 1 cup water
• Dill seed (1 teaspoon per pint)
• Garlic (1 clove per pint, if desired)

Directions:

1. Wash squash, remove ends and slice into rounds. 
2. Pack garlic, dill seed, and squash into jars, leaving ½-inch headspace.
3. Bring vinegar, water, and salt to a boil; simmer for 5 minutes. 
4. Fill jars to ½ inch from top of jars with the boiling hot liquid. Remove air bubbles and check that headspace is still ½-inch. Wipe jars rims and apply lids as directed by manufacturer. Process 15 minutes in a boiling water bath (remember to make altitude adjustments as needed).

*You can skip the canning and put jars in the refrigerator and eat them within 1 month.

Recipe source: https://preservingfoodathome.com/2013/09/16/so-long-summer-squash-see-you-this-winter/

Last updated July 18, 2023