Summer always kicks off with grand culinary ambitions: this season, we vow to eat healthily, shop locally, and hit up farmers’ markets—maybe even venture out to pick our own berries! Those who can blend ambition with organization might show up at the neighborhood barbecue with a delicious blueberry crumble, or toss together a vibrant salad featuring sweet corn and heirloom tomatoes with a zesty cilantro-lemon vinaigrette. Meanwhile, the rest of us find ourselves munching on tuna sandwiches and popsicles while a mountain of fresh produce languishes in the fridge, slowly turning into compost.
Determined to change that narrative this year, I sought helpful hacks to simplify the prep of all those tempting yet time-consuming summer fruits and veggies. I wanted to tackle a watermelon without dread and whip up a delightful fruit salad with ease. I aimed to serve corn on the cob to a crowd without spending a whole Saturday shucking. Let’s not let another haul of produce go to waste! Here’s a collection of tricks and tips that I plan to use this summer—join me, and we can impress our friends at the next potluck!
1. Shuck Corn Like a Pro
Forget about painstakingly peeling corn leaf by leaf. Shucking corn is now a breeze with this two-step technique that will change your life!
2. Get the Corn Off the Cob
Once you’ve shucked it, you’ll need those kernels for your summer salad. Use a bundt pan and a bread knife for a mess-free extraction.
3. Remove the Skin from an Avocado
Sure, you know how to get that pit out with a knife, but did you know there’s an easier way to scoop out the avocado without wasting half of it? Embrace the good fats!
4. Peel a Mango in Under 10 Seconds
If you’re not a fan of mangos due to their stringy texture, this simple glass trick may just win you over.
5. Store a Cut Avocado
To keep that leftover avocado from browning, try covering it with a damp paper towel and wrapping it in foil. It’ll stay fresh for a few days—though honestly, who has leftover avocado?
6. Core a Strawberry
With this easy method, there’s no excuse not to dive into fruit salad-making!
7. Make Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Forget fruit salad! Simply fill an ice cube tray with berries, drizzle over melted chocolate, and freeze for a delectable treat.
8. Pit a Cherry
No need to buy a cherry pitter—an icing tip will do the trick. Just smash the cherry on top of it, and voilà! Pitless cherries, no mess.
9. Cube a Watermelon
Quarter it, make cuts, and scrape for perfectly cubed watermelon. Just be careful with that knife!
10. Slice a Watermelon
Cut it in half, then slice like a cucumber for easy serving—no need for fancy gadgets.
11. Clean Fruit and Veggies
Skip the expensive veggie wash! Mix two parts water with one part apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle for a homemade cleaner.
12. Make Lazy-Girl Pickles
Have extra cucumber slices? Toss them in leftover pickle brine for quick pickles instead of letting them go mushy.
13. Cut Cherry or Grape Tomatoes Efficiently
Instead of tossing whole tomatoes into your salad, use this genius technique to slice a bunch quickly.
14. Infuse Water on Demand
Chop up mint and citrus, toss them in an ice cube tray, fill with water, and freeze for refreshing infused water.
15. Get Instant Fresh Lemon Juice Without Seeds
Roll your lemon to get the juices flowing, then make small slits to squeeze out the juice without the seeds.
16. Revive Wilting Lettuce
A quick five-minute soak in cold water can bring your sad greens right back to life!
17. Cut a Bell Pepper
Core and seed a pepper in one smooth motion—it’s easier than you think!
18. Easily Access Pomegranate Seeds
Struggling with pomegranates? Use this straightforward technique to extract the seeds without hassle.
19. Take a Load Off
You’ve worked hard, so make sure to relax! You deserve it.
For more tips, you can check out this informative article on artificial insemination that provides great insights into home practices. And if you’re interested in at-home insemination, consider visiting Make a Mom for reputable syringe kits.
To keep the summer produce bounty from going to waste, these tricks will help you prepare delicious meals and snacks with ease. Let’s embrace the season’s fruits and veggies and make the most of our summer harvest!
Leave a Reply