Make Fresh Produce a Summertime Staple

(Family Features) Summer brings sunshine-filled days along with the season's bounty of some of the most delicious, locally grown produce. Now is the time to enjoy those in-season fruits and vegetables when they are at the peak of freshness.

In fact, if the rich, creamy texture of avocados is one of your favorite additions to summer meals, there's exciting news: it's California avocado season and the state's 3,000 avocado growers are expecting their largest harvest in five years with an estimated 375 million pounds of this locally grown favorite on its way to grocery stores and restaurants this season.

California's avocado groves are thriving thanks to growers' stewardship of the land and long-term investments in the crop. The rich soil of the state, warmed by its sunshine, cooled by gentle coastal breezes and tended to by dedicated growers, gives the fruit its exceptional taste and rich texture.

Peak availability is expected through summer, allowing those eager to track down fresh, delicious and local avocados the chance to enjoy recipes like Avocado Superfood Salad, which combines seven superfoods in a tasty, colorful salad: kale, spinach, walnuts, blueberries, sweet potato, tomatoes and creamy avocados.

For an easy, shareable appetizer, all you need are some sustainably farmed California avocados and a few fresh ingredients to create Quick and Easy Guacamole, which you can make your own simply by adding your favorite ingredients. 

"While California avocados are a seasonal treasure, this year's robust harvest means more people will have the chance to enjoy them," said Terry Splane, vice president of marketing at the California Avocado Commission. "From the subtle nutty flavor they bring to morning smoothies to adding a creamy decadence to fresh salads and serving as the star ingredient in quick and easy guacamoles, California avocados are a delicious addition to any meal - so go grab them now while they are still in season."

Find more recipes by visiting CaliforniaAvocado.com or by following along at Facebook.com/CaliforniaAvocados and Instagram.com/ca_avocados.

Avocado Superfood Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes

• 8 cups kale or baby spinach leaves
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste, divided
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1cup diced, cooked sweet potato
• 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
• 2 large, ripe, fresh California Avocados, seeded, peeled and sliced horizontally
• vinaigrette dressing, for serving
  

1. Slice kale and spinach into fine shreds and place in mixing bowl. With clean hands, massage 1 tablespoon olive oil into shredded greens. Place on serving platter or individual plates and sprinkle with a little salt.
2. In medium skillet over medium heat, heat remaining oil. Add walnuts and stir to coat. Toast 2-5 minutes, stirring frequently, being careful not to burn walnuts. Remove from pan and let cool slightly.
3. Arrange blueberries, sweet potatoes, grape tomatoes and avocado slices on top of kale and spinach, leaving space for walnuts.
4. Add walnuts to salad and sprinkle with remaining salt. Serve with vinaigrette dressing.

Note: Walnuts may be toasted ahead of time or skipped if you prefer not to toast them.

Quick and Easy Guacamole

Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8

• 4 ripe, fresh California Avocados, peeled and seeded
• 1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
• 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, stemmed, seeded and minced
• sea salt, to taste
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
• fresh tortilla chips or veggie dippers, for serving

1. Coarsely mash avocado with juice and pepper.
2. Season with sea salt, to taste.
3. Fold in diced tomato and serve with fresh tortilla chips or veggie dippers..