It’s Friday and the kickoff of Memorial Day weekend, and unofficially the start of Summer! Warm weather makes me want to eat lots of fresh salads and seasonal veggies. Peas are in season and are a sweet addition to a salad

. I like to lightly steam them and then rinse them under cold water. Drain them, pat them dry, then sprinkle them on your salads along with pea shoots if you can find them or another type of sprout. The shoots are so pretty and elevate your salad to gourmet.

Peas contain an impressive amount of vitamins and minerals and are heart healthy, and also are a source of antioxidants and protein. Add a soft, buttery lettuce, some healthy fats from avocado, and sliced cooked beets! Bonus! Sprinkle on a little fermented vegetables for gut health benefits. (They are full of probiotics. If you like pickles, you will like them too.) Salt, pepper and your favorite vinaigrette, and you have a gorgeous, delicious salad with lots of healthy nutrition!

I’ve signed up for a local organic farms CSA box this Summer and also have planted a small vegetable garden with peas, bok choy, swiss chard, lettuce, tomatoes and peppers. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a vegetable garden, so I am keeping it small and manageable.

What seasonal vegetable do you most look forward to in the Summer? Eating seasonal and local vegetables is a wonderful way to eat very nutrient dense food!