List your top 5 favorite fruits.

Summer is coming to East Tennessee! We’re not there yet, but the temperatures are rising. The unique scents of spring and summer are beginning to tease the air. With warmer weather comes the delightful flavors of fresh fruits.

I love fruit. While I prefer fresh fruit, I appreciate frozen fruit if it’s all that is available. It’s difficult to choose a favorite fruit as my choices often change with the seasons. On that note I’ll note my favorite warm weather fruits.

Top of the list has to be blueberries. I toss blueberries into many things. I put them in my oatmeal, my yogurt, in muffins and pancakes, even in ice cream. And don’t get me started on blueberry pie! Learning these delicious little blue gems are healthy for me makes them even more desirable.

Next on my list are grapes. Originally I only liked green grapes. Somewhere along the line I began to explore grape varieties. Red grapes, purple grapes, grapes so dark they appear black. In the past couple of years I discovered Cotton Candy Grapes. They provide a sweetly flavored treat. Grapes can be frozen and tossed into water to add a slightly sweet but healthy flavor. Put them in your chicken salad! Delightful!

Watermelon. It’s so refreshing. Seeded or seedless. Some people like salt on theirs. I like mine stark naked in chunks. It’s one of those fruits that tastes great all by itself.

Strawberries are so versatile. A treat by themselves they are also delicious in a shortcake with whipped cream, as an ice cream topper, in pie, in muffins, and even in a spinach salad with a poppyseed or raspberry vinaigrette. Toss some into a yogurt based smoothie for a quick breakfast.

Where would I be without pineapple? Pineapple is one of those fruits that can be enjoyed by itself or mixed in a variety of dishes. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, pineapple can add a little or a lot of flavor. From fresh pineapple chunks, pineapple pieces in cottage cheese, or in an Asian dinner, pineapple is a tasty addition. Let’s not forget pineapple upside down cake or pineapple cheesecake for dessert! I happen to love pineapple pieces in lime jello. You can even add pineapple juice to cocktails or punch. It’s definitely a versatile fruit.

What’s your favorite summer fruit? How do you like to serve it? Share any recipes you have! Most of all, enjoy!