"I'll have mine with lettuce and tomato..."

Well, next Sunday (June 21) marks the Summer Solstice, and hence, the first official day of the summer season.

Summer has never been my favorite time of the year. I don’t particularly like to be hot. Nor do I enjoy the sauna-type humidity that one experiences here in the Ohio Valley during the summer months. I’m not a big fan of swimming pools...the smell of chlorine and coconut suntan lotion (or coconut anything) makes me queasy. Amusement parks do not amuse me, and roller coasters make me nauseous.

Not much to look forward to…except for one thing.

Summer FOOD. Summer food is amazing. Here are a few highlights of summer eating, in my opinion:

GRILLING
I could kiss the caveman who invented the concept of “grilling”. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, ribs, veggies, fish…it’s ALL GOOD. So is grilled pizza. If you haven’t tried it…do. I prefer the lighter end of grilling. It’s much healthier than frying, plus in the oppressive heat of summer, eating light is always a good thing. Grilling out over some charcoal is divine, or if you can’t use charcoal…propane is a decent back-up. Grill up some juicy burgers… grab a flank steak & sprinkle some seasoning or rub on it before tossing it over the coals…spear some veggies & grill some kebabs…it’s all good!

FRESH PRODUCE
Be it from your backyard garden, your local farmer’s market, or roadside stand, fresh produce is at its peak in the summer months. There’s nothing better than the crunch of biting into some sweet corn straight off the cob, slathered in butter & a dash of salt…or slicing into that bright red, juicy tomato while assembling your sandwich…or sinking your teeth into a fresh peach, strawberry, plum...whatever your favorite fruit may be. These fruits and veggies taste & smell better than anything that was trucked across the country (or the world), plus they’re chock full of nutrients, so buy local & buy often while they’re still around!

SUMMER FESTIVALS
Here in the Miami Valley, summer starts with the Strawberry Festival & ends with the Greek Festival. Festivals & fairs can be a good way to try new foods & see things you might not have seen before. There seems to be a festival for just about everything, so there’s something out there that’s sure to please just about everyone. Some of my favorite things:

* Cotton Candy (from anywhere) – takes me back to when I was a kid at the Brookville Community Picnic. I would watch them take the paper cone & form a giant cloud of pink around it. Love it!

* Apple Butter (Apple Festival at Aullwood Farm in Vandalia, OH) – they make this stuff in huge kettles over an open fire. They can it right there. You’ve never had apple butter until you’ve had it made like that!

* Gyros (Greek Festival in Dayton, OH) – Oh my…the Greek Fest. Probably my all-time favorite festival in Dayton. The church does it right & they’ve got it all down to a science. Their “Gyros Express” line is the best & fastest way to get one.

* Loukoumades (Honey Puffs) (Greek Festival in Dayton, OH) – another one from the Greek Fest. These little puffs of goodness are drizzled with honey & sprinkled with cinnamon. Absolutely delicious!

PICNICS & GET-TOGETHERS
Ok, so I really do not like eating outdoors…especially with all the bugs flying or crawling around. BUT…when the weather is perfect in the early, early summer and there aren’t as many creepy-crawlies around…it’s so nice to eat al fresco. Summer is the family reunion/picnic/get-together season. Kids are off school & it’s warm enough to spill out into the yard, rather than be cramped up inside someone’s house. When I was a kid, we’d have 9 kids running around during our family get-togethers. The men would fire up the grill and the ladies would get all the salads, chips, dips, veggies, etc all set. Occasionally, Grandpa would be just inside the garage, churning some homemade ice cream. THOSE were the days! Why not keep the tradition alive & have your own family get-together this summer? Give your kids some good memories.

So…although I might be cloistered indoors with the air conditioning on this summer, avoiding pools and amusement parks…the summer traditions surrounding food will still get me out the door. I’ll enjoy it…after all, these tomatoes aren’t going to be as good come October!

Sex is good, but not as good as fresh, sweet corn. ~Garrison Keillor