Sometimes it's wise to follow fads, especially when those trends showcase ultra-nutritious seasonal produce. As a nutritionist and recipe developer, I love checking out what fresh findings are available at my local grocery store, like ALDI, to get inspired. Here are 10 clever ideas you should try that are taking the food world by storm.
Toast 2.0
FSerega via Getty Images
You already know about avocado toast. But how about Radish Cucumber Toast? Or Blueberry Ricotta Toast? Photos of piled-high toasts are becoming the newest form of food fixation on social media. They also happen to make extremely healthy, filling meals and snacks! Start by smearing a piece of sturdy, toasted bread with a soft spread like ricotta, butter or even mashed peas, then layer on thinly sliced veggies, fruit, a sprinkling of herbs or seeds, and a drizzle of nut butter or shake of spice.
Spiralized Veggies
Westend61 via Getty Images
If you haven't jumped on the spiralized veggies craze yet, now is the perfect time, with seasonal produce plentiful and affordable. Why should you try it? Spiralized veggies can stand in for pasta, significantly boosting your veggie servings (most people have woefully low intakes) and cutting serious calories. Try this Greek Chicken Zoodle Salad, this Mediterranean Zucchini Pasta Salad or these Spiralized Summer Roll Bowls. If you just want to dip your toe in, make this Spaghetti and Spiralized Zucchini with Lemon Pesto.
Vegetarian 'Steaks'
Jonathan Kantor via Getty Images
Meat eaters aren't the only ones flipping steaks on the grill. Plant-based eating is hot, and recipes are springing up that make veggies the satisfying star of the meal. Think thick cuts of veggies like cauliflower, butternut squash, and broccoli grilled up and eaten with a fork and knife. Try these Grilled Portobello Steaks with Avocado Chimichurri.
Watermelon, Reimagined
mphillips007 via Getty Images
Watermelon alone practically screams summer, but now it's being reworked in all kinds of new formats beyond the humble melon wedge or ball. Lovers of the pink fruit pair it with soft cheese, like in these Watermelon, Basil and Feta Bites, serve it on toasted baguette slices, such as in this Watermelon Bruschetta, and even cook on the grill for this Grilled Watermelon Salad.
Smoothie Bowls
Westend61 via Getty Images
The smoothie bowl trend shows no sign of stopping, and the abundance of fresh summer fruits only broaden the possibilities. The base of these bowls is a smoothie thick enough to stand up to a spoon (use frozen fruit, yogurt and chia seeds to bulk it up). Then that base is adorned with slices of fruit, a handful of nuts or seeds, and a drizzle of honey or nut butter. Try this Peach, Raspberry and Spinach Smoothie Bowl to get you started (and hooked).
Fruit-Infused Water
Image: MAIKA 777 via Getty Images
Skip pricey bottled fruit water and make your own at home with a mason jar and fresh produce. Simply pack fruits, veggies and herbs into cold water and allow to steep. The result is a refreshing beverage with a light, subtle flavor -- minus the excessive sugar and calories in summer drinks like lemonade and sweet tea. Try combos like watermelon + mint, cucumber + orange, grapefruit + rosemary, or strawberry + lemon + basil. Get a full primer on making infused waters, including some important do's and don'ts, here.
Upgraded Potato Salad
Ray Kachatorian via Getty Images
That gelatinous dish your Aunt Midge brought to every potluck has got nothing on today's updated versions of the classic potato salad. Interesting flavors and unexpected ingredients are at the heart of these new spins, like this Sweet Potato Salad or this Cilantro Jalapeño Potato Salad.
Unique Ice Pop Flavors
Image: SuzanaMarinkovic via Getty Images
If you're not quite ready for savory ice pops (think Mark Bittman's Avocado-Cilantro Ice Pops), there are plenty of recipes that keep the sweetness but add veggies, herbs or spices, like these Mango Chile Limon Paletas or these Basil Lemon Popsicles.
No-Waste Recipes
Courtesy of Veggies Don't Bite
Combatting food waste is on so many minds (and blogs) these days -- and for good reason: One-third of all food produced gets wasted! Fresh summer produce should be savored -- or at least saved. In order to take full advantage of summer's seasonal fruits and veggies, try zero-waste recipes for a delicious and eco-friendly meal, from these No Bake Energy Bars to this Easy Teriyaki Rice Bowl With Roasted Vegetables.
Whipping up summer's top food trends featuring garden-fresh, seasonal produce is simpler and more economical than you'd think thanks to ALDI. The grocery store you know and love from its more than 1,500 nationwide locations is now providing Southern California shoppers with a wide variety of organic fruits, vegetables and locally grown produce at an affordable price. Use the ripe offerings from ALDI to test top culinary trends this summer without breaking the bank.
Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, educator, and mom who serves on the ALDI Advisory Council. She blogs at Real Mom Nutrition and wrote a cookbook for busy families with Cooking Light called Dinnertime Survival Guide. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter.