Mainely Martha

Orange is a happy color, the color of summer, the color of sunshine. And as if the bright beautiful color wasn’t enough, the bright and flavorful orange foods are a sure sign of summer.

The classic orange, of course, holds that juicy burst of flavor that adds to so many recipes from drinks, to appetizers, to main dishes and, of course, dessert…truly a fruit you cannot go wrong with.  It is so easy to get caught up in all of the seasonal berries and melons, but don’t over-look the classic orange. Yes, all of the other fruits are yummy and can be eaten on their own or add to a variety of recipes, but it is the orange that can be utilized in countless ways, so always a fruit to have on hand.

Another summertime classic fruit in the color-orange family is the peach. This syrupy fruit is delicious on it’s own, but like the orange, it too can be an ingredient that can elevate so many recipes to bring that essence of summer to the palate. And unlike the orange that you can get most of the year, the peach is like the summer season itself; it is gone too quickly, so get them while you can.

But, the happy orange color is not limited to fruit;  orange peppers These peppers can add both flavor and color to so many dishes. And, aside from being visually appealing, the cheerful color of the orange peppers can even entice children to eat their veggies. So often kids see green and immediately ask “what’s in this”; when they see a happy orange color, they are drawn in…no questions asked!

Enjoy the summer and the colorful and flavorful foods that come with it. Embrace your inner orange and add the pop of color and the flavor to all of your dishes.