Pick of the Season

GRILLED VEGETABLE SALAD

Ingredients

• 1/2 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/2-inch rings
• 1 yellow bell pepper, quartered, seeds and ribs removed
• 1 red bell pepper, quartered, seeds and ribs removed
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 pound feta cheese

Dressing

• 1 medium clove garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat grill to medium.

In a large bowl, toss the vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the vegetables, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a platter. Sprinkle with basil and feta.

In a small bowl, mix garlic, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle over vegetables.

**recipe from foodnetwork.com

Seasonal Guide

BLACKBERRIES

Select berries that are fairly firm and clean with good color. Blackberries are extremely perishable and should be handled with care.

Avoid berries that still have their caps (stems) attached or that are green or multi-colored (red or green). These berries are not ripe and will not develop full flavor. Overripe berries will be soft, dull-colored and may leak juice.

Store blackberries in your refrigerator. Do not wash until you are ready to use.

PEACHES

Select a good-quality peach will be fairly large, firm to slightly soft and have a yellowish or creamy background. A red blush may be present, on some peach varieties to differing degrees, but this is not a true sign of quality. An extremely ripe peach that is at room temperature will also have a sweet peach smell.

Avoid product that is extremely small, hard, soft, or that has wrinkled skin at the stem end. Peaches that have a green background were picked immature and will not ripen well.

Store peaches at room temperature until fully ripe. Ripe peaches should be refrigerated until eaten, but only for a few days because refrigerating peaches lowers their juice content and makes them less flavorful.

**From produceoasis.com