Using Your Harvest in the Kitchen

Skip the sugar-heavy sweets and salty chips for snack time. Get some goodness in with these quick, simple snacks and lunch ideas with fresh fruits and veggies from your garden.

Tomato Ricotta Toast: Transform your toast with just a few veggies and herbs! Fresh, home-grown tomatoes and basil complement ricotta cheese for a quick, anytime snack.

Carrot Hummus: Who knew carrots could be the perfect base for hummus? Combined with spices and a bit of garlic, you've got a delicious treat you'll be snacking on all day, with or without the pita chips.

Watermelon Smoothie with Banana & Strawberries (via Carrie Walder): It's hot out there! Cool down with a refreshing, healthy smoothie. This recipe requires garden favorites like strawberries and mint, so get out there and start picking! Your blender awaits.

Surprise your friends and family with delightful home-grown flavors at your next gathering! You can make these easy crowd pleasers with the tomatoes, peppers, and more that you grew yourself.

Fire-Roasted Peach Salsa: This sweet-and-spicy salsa pairs delicate peach with bell, habanero, and jalapeno peppers. You'll also need to grab some fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic from your garden. Get out the tortilla chips, and you've got the perfect way to start the party!

Cheesy Bacon Jalapeno Poppers (via Missy Rakes): Bring on the heat. These delicious poppers are sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next backyard bash, especially if you make ‘em with jalapenos right from the garden. Load those babies up with cheese and bacon and watch them be gone in a blink of an eye.

Garden Fresh Pico de Gallo (via Missy Rakes): Taco Tuesday? Say no more. Pico de gallo can make a world of a difference, whether you're scooping it up with chips or placing it on top of taco. This refreshing app is incredibly simple to put together with tomatoes straight from your garden. Chop them up, mix with some fresh herbs, and you are ready to go!

Whether you're looking for a light meal or side for dinner, these easy-to-make soups and salads have you covered.

Perfect Simple Gazpacho: You can get most of the ingredients for this simple soup right from your garden. This summer soup starts with tomatoes and cucumbers and adds garlic and a kick of spice from jalapeno pepper.

Tomato & Watermelon Caprese Salad: Cool down on a hot summer day with this delightful salad! Watermelon and mint provide a sweet balance to the earthy flavors of a classic caprese salad with tomato, mozzarella, and basil. Just cut up your ingredients, toss together, and enjoy.

Kale Salad: Kale may not seem like the most exciting choice, but this salad offers a host of sweet flavors that you'll love. Apple, almonds, and cranberries create a wonderful combination that's perfect for that fresh-grown kale from your garden.

With your home-grown vegetables and herbs, these sides might just become the star of your meal!

Sweet Summer Corn with Spicy Jalapeño: Summer corn gets a kick of spice in this delicious treat. Jalapeno and bell peppers elevate your sweet corn to new levels for a side dish that may become the main attraction.

Creamy Vegan Slaw: Using carrots, cabbage, chickpeas, and chives from your garden, you can create this simple vegan slaw. Chickpeas add a little protein and nutty flavor to this crisp side that's anything but boring.

Grilled Green Beans with Lemon Dressing: There's so many delicious ways to cook green beans, but who doesn't need just one more? Grill your green beans with savory garlic, then top with a not-to-sweet lemon vinaigrette and mint. Enjoy!

Who's hungry? With these hearty dinner meals, you'll please the crowd with surprising flavors and home-grown goodness.

Grilled Burrito Bowls: WIth ingredients like zucchini, peppers, and cilantro from your garden, these burrito bowls are a fresh alternative to a traditional steak. This recipe is the whole enchilada: rub for your steak and rice and beans on the side to complement it. If steak isn't your thing, you can always substitute broccoli or more squash for a vegan treat.

Garden Vegetable Gnocchi (via Taste of Home): "Garden Vegetable Gnocchi" immediately paints the picture of a cozy backyard dinner with loved ones. Who wouldn't want that? This recipe features delicious garden goods like squash and bell pepper scattered amongst fluffy gnocchi. You can even go off script and add in other vegetables that sound scrumptious. The world is your oyster.

Margherita Pizza (via Kristyn Merkley): Pizza night is officially sponsored by your garden. You just can't beat fresh tomato and basil atop gooey mozzarella. Go all out and make your own dough or take it easy and break out the store bought. Either way, the pizza will shine with its garden-fresh toppings.

While many of your vegetables and herbs provide a host of wonderful health benefits, it's okay to indulge every now and then. Satisfy that sweet tooth with the bright burst of berry in these treats.

Grilled Shortcake Biscuits with Berry Jam: While technically a breakfast dish, you'll want to snack on these biscuits with jam all day. Bake your biscuits following the directions, and top them off with fresh jam featuring home-grown blueberries or blackberries.

Strawberry Mascarpone Trifle: The layered dessert features pound cake (store-bought or bake your own) with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Perfect for summer, or anytime!