I know I spend a lot of time saying, “I don’t remember ….” but I truly don’t remember a year when the watermelon season has been so long. It’s been wonderful for me since watermelon is by far my favorite melon, but I know not everyone feels the same way. Did I mention freezing some of the watermelon and then pureeing with a bottle of rosé? Instant frosé!
And of course we have about a dozen recipes including watermelon curry on grassfedcow.com.
I hear that some boxes included delicata squash, but in our box we received a HUGE sweet potato. In this case, “I remember” last year’s first arrivals of sweet potatoes also being similarly huge. I’m excited and know that apples are not far behind. September is just around the corner!
With apologies to Georgia, I share a message I received from the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission. So many interesting ideas! (For some reason, North Carolina thinks “sweet potato” is all one word ….)
Preparation:
Goodness on the Go
- These Sweetpotato BLT Bites are anything but an ordinary appetizer. Made with sliced sweet potatoes, bacon, chopped romaine and grape tomatoes, this recipe is a healthy take on the classic sandwich, adding a bit of sweetness and heaps of nutritional value.
- For an elevated but simple summer nosh, opt for our Sweetpotato Goat Cheese Bites. Top baked sweet potato slices with goat cheese, dried cranberries and chopped candied pecans for a quick and easy snack or side.
- Wow friends and family with our bright and flavorful Sweetpotato Mousse Bites. Add roasted sweet potatoes, avocado mayo, orange juice and lemon juice to a food processor to make the mousse, and garnish with watermelon radish for a beautiful and refreshing summertime bite.
The Perfect Blend
- This Berry Sweetpotato Smoothie is chock-full of beneficial ingredients like mixed berries, spinach, coconut water and sweet potatoes that are sure to help you beat the heat.
- Ideal for a post-workout or midday snack, this Post-Run Antioxidant Smoothie recipe developed by Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN, provides a great boost of energy thanks to complex carbohydrates and protein from mashed sweet potato, Greek yogurt and beets.
- If you’re looking for something even sweeter, quench your thirst with a refreshing Sweetpotato Dream Slush, a tropical blend of oranges and vanilla reminiscent of creamsicle ice cream but made healthier with an assist from sweet potatoes.
Internationally Inspired
- These Sweetpotato Summer Rolls are a delicious blend of sweet and savory and are a fun vegetarian option to try in place of your typical wrap or sandwich. Roll strips of sweet potato, celery and red pepper in rice paper sheets and drizzle with an easy-to-make peanut butter sauce.
- Swap your usual summer sides for this Creamy Peanut & Lime Sweetpotato Slaw. Made with shredded sweet potatoes, peanut butter, lime zest, cilantro and a few other simple ingredients, this Asian-inspired slaw is low-cost, low-calorie and easy to pull together.
- Developed by a registered dietitian, this Sweetpotato & Cauliflower Tabbouleh is reminiscent of its international roots while incorporating healthy vegetables like sweet potatoes, cauliflower and green onions. Topped with a lemon and olive oil dressing, this dish offers a wonderful variety of fresh summer flavors.
Sweet Libations
- For a bit of fiery flavor, try The Batata, a spicy blend of reposado tequila, mezcal and jalapeño. Make your own sweet potato simple syrup using brown sugar and pureed sweet potato and add spices like chili flake and cayenne pepper for some extra heat.
- Enjoy the Otono for a cocktail that looks as good as it tastes. Mix sweet potato simple syrup with pisco, Peychaud bitters and pink lady apple cider for a balanced flavor and a beautiful pink hue.