These days, we can get just about any kind of food in any season, no matter where we live. Still, local, in-season produce tends to be the freshest and best-tasting, and Texas has plenty of great summertime fruits and vegetables to choose from. As you lose weight and follow your weight loss surgeon’s dietary recommendations this summer, keep an eye out for these tasty Texan foods:
Asparagus
The growing season for this fleshy green veggie can extend through July, making it easy to find all summer long. Considered a delicacy since ancient times, the tender stalks of these pointy spears pack in almost 70 percent of your daily value of vitamin K, which helps to promote bone health and proper blood clotting. The list of nutrients in asparagus is long—iron, folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 and more—which can help you protect your body from health problems like diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Lemons
Though you may not want to take a big sour bite out of one, the lemon’s flavorful juices are low in calories (just 12 in an entire lemon) and high in vitamin C. Their peak season runs from May to August, making this strong local flavor available throughout the hottest months. Though vitamin C is their most prominent nutrient, lemons are also chock full of antioxidants called flavonoids, which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, inflammation, and cancer in the stomach and pancreas. To get some refreshing lemony flavor and all of the fruit’s nutritional value, try adding some juice or wedges to your ice water.
Cauliflower
In season as late as August, cauliflower is packed with nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and choline. The pale cruciferous veggie also contains cancer-fighting compounds called glucosinolates, which have been shown to protect the stomach and lungs from carcinogens and may also contribute to its somewhat bitter flavor. Cauliflower also interacts with estrogen in the body, helping to reduce the risk of developing hormone-related cancers like those in the cervix, breast and uterus.
Of course, it helps to know where to find these local produce picks as well. Check out some of the below farmers’ markets for a chance to score some of these tasty foods.
- Dallas Farmers Market. Open 362 days a year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Dallas Farmers Market has been in downtown Dallas for more than 60 years. Located at 1010 S. Pearl Expressway, this open air market is a great source of tons of locally-grown food.
- Denton Community Market. Open Saturdays from April to November, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Denton Community Market is located in the Denton County Historical Park at Mulberry St. and Carroll Blvd. Denton Community Market is a great place to find not only local produce, but arts, crafts, local businesses and live music as well.
- Coppell Farmers Market. Open Saturdays from April 6 to November 23, 8 a.m. to noon, the Coppell Farmers’ Market is a growing market on the northwest side of Dallas, with a wide variety of produce and more than 30 vendors. This market is located in at 793 S. Coppell Road in Old Town Coppell.
- Grand Prairie Farmers Market. Open Saturdays from March 2 to December 21, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., this market is located in downtown Grand Prairie. With vendors selling everything from baked goods to tamales, Grand Prairie is a good place to find many interesting food items.
Do you know of any other markets in the Dallas area that deserve a mention? Let us know in the comments below!
