Summertime in Ibiza is filled with wonderful opportunities to engage in some healthy Mediterranean lifestyle cooking and enjoy plenty of al fresco dining.
At Samos Deli, we believe in the value of produce from our homeland and eating well, not just for our health, but also to benefit our local community.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is renowned to be full of nutrients with a proven track record of long-life health benefits. These nutritional values have been concluded to be the result of cultural lifestyle choices and continuation of traditional eating habits.
Bottom line, people in the Mediterranean still predominantly choose to utilise fresh local and seasonal produce, rather than opting for processed or imported foods. Of course this means a healthy balance of fibre, protein, mono-saturated fats and minimal starchy foods, but science has noted that people of the Mediterranean generally are more healthy as they are more inclined to use and enjoy locally farmed products.
Why is local seasonal produce more healthy?
Local produce holds more flavour, but more importantly more nutrients. When produce is locally sourced, farmers allow for their crops to grow longer under sunlight, so they are fully bloomed, rather than picking them at an early stage for preservation. The more sunlight, the more antioxidants they produce and the greater the health benefits.
What’s more, local organic crops are free from chemicals and pesticides which of course can protect us from unwanted complicated health problems and diseases later in life too.
Seasonal foods are actually Mother Nature’s way of protecting us. Different seasons produce different fruits and vegetables, therefore different antioxidants and vitamins in order to better aid our bodies and health during different times of the year.
Summer Season
During the summer, Ibiza offers a great deal of fresh fruits and vegetables like watermelon, figs, lemons, courgettes and beans.
Seasonal produce is renowned for its great taste, staggering fibre content and nutritional values compared to other imported counter and processed veggies. So let’s take a closer at our top three favourite and wonderful summer island foods;
Watermelon
Incredibly tasty and perfectly refreshing on a hot summer’s day. Watermelons from Ibiza are deep red in colour and incredibly rich in sweetness. What’s more, these delicious fruits are renowned to control high blood pressure, reduce body fat, improve mood, combat cancer and boost energy levels.
This antioxidant fruit can be eaten perfectly as a light snack, taken on your beach day picnic, part of a healthy morning smoothie, added to your salad (personally we love with feta cheese and a little basil) or even as a complimentary addition to a revitalising summer cocktail.
And, they are here in abundance, so if you have a little summer sweet tooth, watermelons are the perfect way to satisfy your sugar cravings, the healthy way.
Figs
If watermelon is not enough to savor those sweet cravings, then why not opt for some figs. Figs are part of the mulberry family and can be seen scattered across the island.
This deliciously sweet fruit is rich in natural health benefiting phytonutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins.
Although figs come in a variety of colours across the Mediterranean, figs in ibiza have typical deep purple smooth skins, with a pinky-red sweet sticky flesh and crunchy tiny seeds, making this fruit a delightful burst of tasty and textured goodness.
Eat them completely free of anything extra, add to an indulgent bowl of granola and yoghurt, or eat them as a fancy evening aperitive with a slice of iberico jamon. Perfect for summer foodie vibes and something a little different from the norm.
Courgettes
Courgettes are a fantastic summer squash that blooms from June through to the end of the summer season. Although known as a savoury vegetable, courgettes are actually a fruit due to containing seeds and belong to the same family as cucumbers.
Courgettes can be prepared and cooked in a variety of ways and even eaten raw if they are young. Finely slice and add to your salad, chargrill them on the BBQ, or simply spiral, cooked for a minute or two and add to a delicious pesto for a healthy pasta alternative. What’s more their beautiful yellow flowers are also edible.
Courgettes (otherwise known as zucchini), are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. They are also known to have a high water content, yet are low in calories, which is known to help reduce hunger and help you feel fuller for longer. Perfect for those trying to implement a weight loss diet regime.
Samos Deli and Our Environment
Samos Deli not only advocates purchasing fresh local foods for our health but also as one of the most environmentally friendly ways to live.
Our local supermarket and online grocery store desires to make a stand and create a greater demand for fresh, organic and locally produced foods – directly from Ibiza.
Upholding local produce ultimately supports other businesses and families, encourages future generations to continue to build character, value and invest in Ibiza’s welfare and future.
Local produce reduces our environmental pollution and carbon footprint, enables local community employment and better customer experiences, as well as supplying every individual with health benefits from seasonal and nutritional local produce.
Why not take a look at our locally produced breads and groceries available at our online shop or pop into Santa Eulalia or Siesta and see what we have on offer.
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