Summer is coming to a close here in Greater Knoxville. While temperatures are still summer-hot, you can certainly see signs that fall is on its way. That also means it's time to enjoy all the locally-grown late summer produce. Make sure you know what's in season, then head to your local grower, farm stand, or grocery store that offers locally-grown produce. Stock up and enjoy some delicious healthy snacks made from end-of-summer produce.
What's In Season at the End of Summer in Tennessee?
- Apples
- Pears
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Pears
- Peppers
- Sweet potatoes
- Watermelon
5 Ways to Use End-of-Summer Produce for a Healthy Snack
Crudités Platter
Crudités is the French term for a raw vegetable platter. This healthy snack is great for the afternoon or to set out for guests!
Ingredients:
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Peppers
- Dipping sauce, such as ranch or hummus
Instructions:
- Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets and slice the carrots and peppers into thin strips
- Arrange veg on a platter or a bowl
- Add a small bowl of dipping sauce to the middle of your platter or on the side
Feel free to add any of your favorite vegetables, including tomatoes, sugar snap peas, or cauliflower.
Baked Apples
Baked apples are a classic fall treat that not only tastes amazing but will make the whole house smell incredible, too. They can be a lovely afternoon treat or even quickly made up for an impromptu dessert.
Ingredients:
- One apple per person
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of pecans or walnuts
- 1 tablespoon of raisins
- 1/2 teaspoon of butter
- 3/4 cup boiling water
Instructions:
- Cut the core out of your apple with a sharp paring knife (pro tip: an apple corer works great for this, too!), leaving the apple closed at the bottom
- Combine the brown sugar, nuts, and raisins in a small bowl and mix
- Stuff your sugar, nut, and raisin mixture into your emptied apple
- Add the butter to the top of the mixture and sprinkle with the cinnamon
- Add the apple to a baking dish and add 3/4 cup of water to the bottom of the dish
- Pop it in a 375°F oven for 35-45 minutes
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady apple varieties work the best for this recipe, but any apple will work.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber and Vitamin A. They make a nice savory snack in the afternoon, or you can add them as a side at dinner.
Ingredients:
- One medium sweet potato per person
- Salt and pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
- Cut your sweet potatoes into sticks that are roughly the same size (this way, they'll cook at about the same rate)
- Put your chopped sweet potato into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, and add salt and pepper to taste
- Give everything a good mix to evenly coat the sweet potatoes, then spread them out onto a baking sheet
- Pop your sweet potatoes into a 450°F oven for about 20 minutes, stirring them about halfway through
Before cooking, you can customize the taste of your sweet potato fries by adding different spices, such as cinnamon or cayenne pepper.
Looking for more healthy snack ideas? Senior Helpers of Greater Knoxville can help. We offer in-home care for seniors who want to maintain independence and stay in their homes. From companion care to specialized care for those with Alzheimer's, we can tailor our services to your needs--including tasty late-summer snack recommendations! Contact Senior Helpers of Greater Knoxville today to learn more about our services in Andersonville, Clinton, Louisville, Rockford, and beyond.