Farmers’ Market Smoothies

One of the hallmarks of summer in Seattle is the arrival of farmers’ markets.   There are some wonderful fruits and vegetables coming into season this month like berries, beets, kale, and carrots.  An easy way to make the most of seasonal goods is to incorporate the produce into smoothies.    It’s a great way to try something new or use up the last few morsels before they go bad.  Either way, smoothies are an easy and delicious way to get your eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day and add some variety to your diet.

Here are three of my favorite smoothies using early summer produce from the Northwest. Enjoy!

Green Pear Smoothie

The sweetness of the fruit in this smoothie masks the natural bitterness of the kale – you won’t even now it’s in there.

1/2 cup green grapes

1/2 orange, peeled

1/2 Bartlett pear

1/2  banana, fresh or frozen

1/2 cup kale

1/4 cup water

1 cup of ice cubes

Blend ingredients together, makes one serving.

Blueberry Almond Smoothie

These are two of my favorite foods combined into one delicious drink. Fresh blueberries taste best.

1/2 ripe banana

3/4 cups fresh blueberries

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons almond butter

1 tablespoons flaxseeds 

2 Medjool dates pitted

3/4 cup of water

Blend ingredients together, makes one serving.

Strawberry Mango Beet Smoothie

The beet gives this smoothie a fresh taste and balances the sweetness from the mango and strawberries.

1 beet, approximately 2 inches in diameter, washed, peeled, chopped

4 large fresh strawberries, washed, halved, greens removed

1 carrot, washed, chopped

1 ripe mango, peeled, sliced

¼ cup carrot juice

Blend ingredients together, makes one serving.