Want a fresh, summery dessert you can feel good about putting on the table every day and even eat it alongside your meal? Well wait no longer, it is local fruit season!! Here’s a list of local fruit we grow in British Columbia and ways to dish it up in fun new ways. Of course, a platter of different coloured fruit arranged beautifully is always an easy option too and fun for kids to help prepare.

• Strawberries—slice or quarter and serve with mint granita (shaved ice you can make in the food processor) or make a classic strawberry/spinach/pecan salad 
• Watermelon—cube it and freeze for a refreshing dessert or snack or serve it as a salad with fresh basil and crumbled feta.
• Peaches and plums—halve, remove pits and sprinkle with chopped nuts and seeds. Broil for 3 minutes then serve with Greek yogurt.
• Cantaloupe or honeydew melon—pair well with savoury foods like cheese or prosciutto or can be pureed into a chilled soup. 
• Raspberries—serve over an avocado chocolate mousse or by eat by the handful!
• Grapes—great for kabobs with melon or cheese chunks or freeze to simply pop in your mouth or puree into a slushy.
• Blueberries—make a healthier crumble with whole grain & nut topping and remember to stock up to freeze for smoothies all year round.
• Nectarines—make a delicious salsa with fresh local tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime, salt and jalapeno to serve with tacos or whole grain bruschetta.

Recipe by Nicole Fetterly, RD