Summer Snacks

Summer snacks provide a great opportunity to add fresh fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet as they come into season. This slideshow presents fresh and frozen snacks, chocolate dipped strawberries, a simple zesty Fiesta Dip, and vegetables with a peanut butter dipping sauce.

Summertime snacks need to be quick, easy and delicious!

Keep fresh ripened fruit on hand for a perfect summer snack naturally designed to satisfy your sweet tooth. And if you rather have a snack without all the fiber, consider juicing the fruit and freezing it in containers as a sweet, frozen fruitsicle sure to please kids as well as adults. If you don't have a juicer, puree in a blender with a little added water and you'll have a frozen pop filled with chunks of whole fruit. It's refreshing and good for you. Here are a few simple but tasty combinations to try:

• Orange/pineapple
• Apple/lemon (only ¼ lemon to four granny smith apples)
• Pureed watermelon/orange juice

Another refreshing summer treat is to use that fresh fruit in a shake. This can be as basic as a strawberry/banana shake or exotic with tropical flavors like mango and guava. If you're new to making fruit shakes one secret to the creamy texture common to milk shakes is to use frozen bananas.

Ingredients for one shake:

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup juice
• 1 frozen banana
• ½ - 1 cup frozen fruit of your choice

Blend thoroughly and top with toasted coconut and/or chopped nuts.

Chocolate dipped strawberries make an elegant but simple summertime treat and don't have to be as much work as you might think.

Three Easy Steps:

1. Insert a toothpick into the top of each strawberry
2. Melt chocolate and shortening in a double boiler and stir until smooth.
3. Dip strawberries into the chocolate and place on wax paper to cool.

The Fiesta Dip is made on a tray and makes a great snack to bring for barbecues and picnics.

Spread the following ingredients in layers on a cookie pan:

• 1 8 oz sour cream (can substitute a can of refried beans)
• 1 small jar of salsa or taco sauce
• 1 bell pepper chopped
• 1 one small can sliced black olives
• 1 medium tomato chopped
• Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Line chips around the edges of the tray for an easy to carry snack. Use the chips to scoop and eat!

Along with fresh fruits, summer is a great time to get your hands on fresh local produce. For a new, interesting way to eat fresh veggies try a peanut butter dipping sauce.

Whisk the following ingredients together in a small bowl and you're ready to dip!

• ½ c. creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Along with vegetables other dipping possibilities include hardboiled eggs and lean meat.

All of these no-cook summer snacks save time and help keep the house cool. They make good treats for adults and children alike. Feel free to add your own touch with personal preferences. If you like hot peppers, add them to the Fiesta Tray. Want to be creative? Layer rainbow colors in your fruit pops. Have fun! That's what summertime is for!

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