Did You Know

Red peppers, green beans and cucumbers are actually fruits because (like tomatoes) they contain seeds.

Farm with us!

Stemilt Twitter Stemilt Facebook Stemilt Blog


Share/Bookmark

Lunch and Dinner Tips

The potential for adding fruits and vegetables to these two important meals are endless. We’ve got tips for brown bag lunches, side dishes and even a fun take on a classic dinner:

  • Add both fruit and vegetables to your brown bag lunch. Carrot sticks, freshly sliced pears, and bell pepper slices are all easy to pack and full of nutrition.
  • Slice fruit onto your sandwich! You’ll be surprised at how tasty a ripe pear sliced onto a ham and cheese sandwich can be. Plus, a peanut butter and sliced apple sandwich will win favor with the kids.
  • Toss your choice of fresh fruit with lettuce, nuts and a gourmet cheese. Pears, blue cheese and pecans make for a great salad combination.
  • Grill different types of fruit on bamboo skewers for a healthy side dish. Pineapple and soft fruits like peaches and nectarines are great choices for grilling.
  • Believe it or not, sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants. Cut them into fry shapes, and then toss with olive oil, your choice of spices (curry and paprika work great) and bake at 350 until they are slightly soft.
  • Add crunch and color to pasta or potato salad with sliced bell peppers, broccoli florets, carrot slices, or cucumber.
  • Enjoy a new spin on a classic dish! Saute sliced Stemilt apples (without peel) and onions together until caramelized. Use the mixture as a “topping” for broiled or baked pork chops.
  • Eat sandwiches or wraps that include several vegetables, such as mushrooms, tomatoes, sprouts, green peppers, cucumbers, or other raw vegetables.
  • One night a week, skip the starch (potatoes, bread, pasta) during dinner and make a fresh fruit salad instead. Use yogurt instead of whipped topping for added nutrition.
  • Get creative by combining fruits and vegetables into a healthy soup. For instance, roasted butternut squash and pears can be found in many fall soup recipes. The best part? Soup goes a long way, which means you could have it for dinner one night, and lunch the next day!