From Memorial Day to the Fourth of July, these two American Holidays serve to honor the men and women who died while serving the United States military and the establishment of the USA respectively. Memorial Day marks the “unofficial” beginning of the summer season, which also means the beginning of more widely available fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables. As the Fourth of July approaches vegetables start to take center stage such as tomatoes and onions.  Therefore enjoy some fresh locally grown “in season” produce such as strawberries, tomatoes and onions with possibly some of your own home grown basil to make this nutritious snack below. This could possibly become one of your family’s favorites this summer, which combines fruit and vegetables for a great addition to a summer cookout.

• 2 large fresh Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1 ½ fresh strawberries, diced
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• ½ cup chopped fresh basil
• Juice of one fresh squeezed lime
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt and ground pepper

Refrigerate the tomato basil strawberry salsa for at least 1 hour before serving, to let the flavors combine. Give a quick stir when serving because the juices tend to set at the bottom. Enjoy!

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Article by Dr. Tammy Kelly, County Extension Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent of Lenoir County and Robert Hawk, County Extension Director of Jackson and Swain County. For more information and recipes, please contact Robert Hawk at 586-4009 or 488-3848 or email at “robert_hawk@ncsu.edu”