As much as Indians are aversive to the blazing summer sun, we ardently await the advent of the season because of our unanimous love for mangoes. Have you ever encountered anyone saying "Um, no, I don't like mangoes?"
Mangoes may be the king of fruits and even Akshay Kumar deemed mangoes to be important enough to make it the opening point of his conversation with PM Modi but summer has other fruits to offer as well. The water-rich watermelon and sweet, sweet jackfruit, too, are summer visitors and are as much in demand this season. With warnings of heat waves across Kerala this summer, it is necessary to stay hydrated and fruits can be a tasty and interesting answer to the oppressive heat.
So this summer, give your mango marathon an occasional breather and include these fun fruits in your daily quota of fruits diet as well.
Water, water in every slice
Watermelon is the best thirst quencher in fruit format with 92 percent water content. The antioxidant lycopene protects against sunburn-causing UV radicals. Equally rich in sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes, watermelons prove ideal to prevent dehydration. It is a good supplement to sugar as the natural sweet hardly affects health and adds very less to calorie score.
So instead of sipping on chilled aerated drinks or iced tea, try out the funky Watermelon popsicle recipe.
Watermelon popsicle
Ingredients
Watermelon (seeds removed and cut into cubes)
Popsicle mould
Preparation
Use a blender to make the chunks into thick, smooth puree
Filter if necessary with a sieve
Pour the puree into the moulds and refrigerate until frozen
Lick away!
The sturdy, big fruit
Jackfruit is the biggest fruit that grows high on trees. As tasty and sweet it is, it is also rich in nutrients and vitamins which help enhance immunity. With every bowl of the fruit giving away 94 kcal energy, jackfruit can be an instant booster, an ideal snack in between the daylong, summer cricket and football matches. The natural sugar content is easily digested and thus healthy.
Though less in water content, jackfruits blend well with milk to make your favourite smoothies and ice-cream possible!
Jackfruit ice-cream
Ingredients
1 cup jackfruit (deseeded and chopped)
1 cup whipped cream
2-3 cups sugar
Preparation
Mix the jackfruit pieces and sugar in a blender or mixer jar to make a smooth paste Beat the whipped cream to a desirable thick consistency
Sugar or condensed milk may be added to thicken the cream if needed
Add the puree to the cream and mix well
Spread the mix into a container or ice-cream tin and refrigerate until set
Enjoy scoops garnished with finely chopped jackfruit pieces.
The cool fruit mistaken for a veggie
Cucumbers are another super coolant. And like tomato and many other fruits, it is a fruit deprived of its true identity. Also rich in lot of water (95%) and fibre, cucumbers keep the consumer well hydrated. Its anti-inflammatory nature also protects the skin against infections. It is also a rich source of antioxidants, and the lignans are idea for boosting immunity – very much needed during the tiring summer days. The numerous vitamins and minerals further make the humble cucumber a rich spot on health charts.
Cucumber raita
1 cup cucumber (finely chopped or grated)
1 cup curd
½ tsp red chilli powder
½ tsp roasted cumin seed powder
1 tbsp coriander leaves (chopped)
Salt as required
Preparation
Whisk the curd to a smooth, semi thick consistency
Add the powders and salt and the cucumber and mix well
Garnish with coriander leaves
Serve chilled.
Wheels of yellow
Pineapples have a unique taste of sweet and sour that becomes a delicious fusion. Again a fruit rich in water, it is also known as a major source of vitamin C, vitamin A and beta carotene and vitamin B1 which keeps one energetic and active despite the straining summer. Have copious amount of pineapple juice with no worry of gaining weight. Rather, pineapple naturally helps reduce cholesterol
Carrot-pineapple smoothie
Ingredients
1 cup pineapple (chopped)
¾ cup carrot (chopped)
Half a banana (chopped)
½ cup ice
Mix all the ingredients in a blender and make a rich smoothie blend.
The ever-present lemon
Present all through the year, garnishing fiery gravies or making the simplest and most common cooling drink – lemonade – the lemon is a citrus to look out for any summer. Lemon extract is good for supporting weight loss, improving skin, prevent kidney stones, and is ideal for keeping the body hydrated due to the electrolytes it contains. The vitamin C rich source also acts as a good immunity enhancing agent protecting especially against colds.
While lemonades is a recipe known to every household, minor variations and twists based on the other ingredients, makes each variety unique. For now, try out the 'panakam' from the southern states of India.
Panakam
Ingredients
½ cup jaggery (chopped)
Juice of 2 medium-sized lemons
2 cups water, or as needed
½ tsp ginger (crushed or powdered)
A pinch of edible camphor (optional)
Preparation
Let the jaggery dissolve in the water completely
Filter if any particles remain
Add the ginger and lemon juice
Mix well and serve chilled
Can be garnished with tulsi leaves.
