Father’s Day, Summer and Ramadan

Sunday June 18, 2017 is Father’s Day. Tuesday, June 20, 2017 is the first day of summer! Families nationwide will be celebrating these two events with fun and plenty of food. Summer and Father’s Day are the beginning of the great “grilling season”, too. Melissa’s has some great ideas to help with your summer grilling. If you are looking for the perfect gift for dad, check out our Grilling Basket.

Spicy Edamame and Roasted baby Dutch Yellow® Potatoes are both ready-to-eat right out the package. Serve them cold or warmed in their own microwavable tray, both are perfect for a quick snack or appetizer.

You can also try some veggies on a skewer, brushed with a little olive oil and placed on a low grill until they are tender. Everyone will love them. Then grill some fresh fruit like pineapple, tomatoes, and grapes for an interesting skewer combination. Fresh corn on the cob is a popular item to grill. Something different and delicious to grill is a whole eggplant. After the grill is off (charcoal barbecue), place a piece of tin foil on the grill, then a WHOLE eggplant. Do NOT puncture with any holes… this will keep the juices in. Keeping the lid on the grill, turn the eggplant about every 15 minutes, until it is completely tender, about an hour total. Once it is done, carefully remove and slice. It will be like butter! Sprinkle a little truffle salt on and you have a wonderful treat. YUM!

Serve the fresh fruit skewers with burgers, chicken or even veggie dogs! Add the freshly grilled corn, a green salad and you are all set. For your favorite salad, start with your favorite mix of greens; don’t forget about radicchio, spinach, arugula and watercress. Toss greens together with fresh cucumber slices, steamed artichoke hearts, steamed baby beets in balsamic vinaigrette, tomato wedges and sprouts for a wonderful, light salad. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. For a heavier salad, toss with quinoa, couscous or cold pasta (like penne, linguine or angel hair).

Since the first day of summer is the longest day of the year, many schools are already out for the summer while others are just about done. Pool gatherings, beach outings and park picnics will be filled with snacks and foods. Make sure Melissa’s organic fruits and vegetables are included as a great way to create these summer snacks, salads and main dishes. Strive to eat five a day to stay healthy and trim. Our latest grape varieties will make it easy to get your servings in. Enjoy your summer with the freshest fruits and vegetables available!

Ramadan is a Muslim holiday that begins the evening of May 27, 2017 and ends the evening of June 25, 2017. It is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This important Muslim holiday observes fasting, worship and a renewal of family. Fasting takes place during daylight hours to show sacrifice and for the Muslims to engage in more prayer than normal. They also abstain from smoking or any other daily enjoyment.

There are five pillars of the Islam religion:

1. Shahadah: Declaring there is no god except God, and Muhammad is God’s messenger.
2. Salal: Ritual prayer, 5 times a day.
3. Zakat: Giving 2.5% of one’s savings to the poor and needy.
4. Sawm: Fasting and self-control during the blessed month of Ramadan.
5. Haji: Pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime if he/she is able to do it.

These are the rules for this major holiday in the life of a Muslim. Vegetables play a large part in their lives as many Muslims do not eat meat of any kind. Grains are also a large part of their diet, as well as legumes. Muslims enjoy foods that are whole and from the earth. They are the perfect Melissa’s consumers!