Summer time is not just about sun, sand, and sea, it’s also about family and friend gatherings, cookouts, barbecues and, of course, picnics (my kids always look forward to those). 

With the summer season comes wonderful, wholesome meals with awesome flavors and lots of excellent recipes that are not only delicious but quite nutritious as well. I find that at this time of the year, my meals tend to have some Mediterranean / Caribbean feel to them. 

I begin to think of bright colored meals, fun arrangements, trips to the farmers market to bring home those freshly harvested (and often organic) veggies. Then there comes the next question waht do to with them? The possibilities are endless: grilled vegetables for dinner, vegetable pasta or some type of chef-inspired veggie soup. Decisions…decisions…decisions.

For this post, I think I’m going to explore a variety of cooking methods. So without further ado, let’s fire up the barbecue grill, dig out the charcoal and cook ourselves some summery meals.

Grilled Corn and Sausage Kabobs

Recipe from The Kitchen Advisor 

Grilled corn and sausages brushed over with Italian dressing is an excellent blend of summery flavors. It’s a family friendly recipe that everyone will fall in love with.

Braised Green Beans and Summer Vegetables

Recipe from Eating Well

You will always find an abundance of cherry tomatoes, summer squash, and green beans at the farmers market and at a good bargain too. So why not seize the opportunity to treat the family to some healthy, nutritious summer meal.

Zoodles With Summer Vegetables

Recipe from Pure Wow

You might just want to get more of those cherry tomatoes and corn while you are at the market because I just found the perfect 25-minute easy recipe for leftover vegetables.

Fresh Corn Cakes with Summer Salsa

Recipe from My Recipes 

These delightful corn cakes are super tasty on their own, but pair them with the salsa made of summer vegetables and it’s a match made in heaven. It’s colorful, tasty and vegetarian.

Lemon Broccoli Pasta Skillet

Recipe from The Food Charlatan 

Hola Pasta! Everybody loves pasta. This zesty healthy pasta recipe will keep you thrilled and filled. It’s so easy to make to throw this dinner inspiration together, you can do it under 20 minutes. No stress.

Cold Lentil Salad with Cucumber And Olives

Recipe from The Kitchn

I’m certain this cool meal will be a favorite at the dinner table. Perfect for a hot summer’s day and easier to make than pie.

Six-Onion Pizza

Recipe from Saveur

Take a break from pepperoni pizza and treat yourself to something healthier. This pizza is a wonderful bouquet of various onions, sprigs of thyme and lots of healthy goodness.

Grilled Summer Vegetables

Recipe from Relish 

It’s colorful, it’s packed with a variety of veggies, it’s clean eating, requires minimum effort and all vegetables can be found at the farmers market. It’s like feasting on a plate of sunshine.