Each of us has a list of fruits and vegetables that we love and are used to eating (or at least force ourselves to be healthy). But farmers’ markets, local farm shops and summer cottages can be a place of amazing and rewarding discoveries during the summer months. After all, every fruit and vegetable contains a ton of nutrients. Now that summer is in full swing, be sure to try these extraordinary flavors and tremendous nutritional value.
Arrows of garlic
The arrow is the green stem of the flower that literally shoots out of the garlic bulb after it has grown. Young green curling arrows have a pleasant mild garlic flavor and aroma and are rich in the same nutrients as onions, garlic and leeks. In particular, the arrows of garlic in the diet will strengthen the cardiovascular system and help prevent cancer.
Fizalis
Physalis, also known as field cherries, actually belong to the same family as tomatoes, the nightshade family, and contain a healthy dose of the carotenoid lycopene. It also has an unusually high amount of pectin, which normalizes cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Watercress
These leafy greens are a real superfood: a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that a handful of watercress a day helps protect cells from free radical damage. These leaves are ideal in salads and main dishes.
Daikon
This white radish from East Asia is rich in anthoxanthins and helps lower cholesterol and normalize blood pressure, as well as strengthen the cardiovascular system.
kohlrabi
This member of the cabbage family is often forgotten, but kohlrabi is extremely rich in fiber and vitamin C, as well as glucosinolates, a group of compounds that fight cancer.