The Best Mediterranean Fruits to Keep on Hand in Your Kitchen

Fruits — both fresh and dried—are plentiful in Mediterranean meals. Fruit is the typical end to a meal in Mediterranean countries, as well as a start to the day at the breakfast table. For those more celebratory meals, there are loads of splendid Mediterranean desserts featuring fruit, when you make a dessert, think of adding nutrition. This means that while it’s still a dessert, the added fruit, nuts, whole grains, and/or olive oil add some positive nutrition.

Fruit is more than for the start of the day or the end of a meal. Rather, it is also a delicious food that fits into recipes from all around the Mediterranean. To give you some ideas and also to inspire you, here’s a fruit tour starting in the Eastern Mediterranean. To be sure, we have not included all fruit, but rather some of the most typical and iconic

Mediterranean food is one of the richest and most exotic in the world. This fame has been earned due to the wide variety of ingredients available to prepare all kinds of delicacies. From vegetables, nuts, and delicious vegetables, to exquisite meats, everything that refers to this gastronomy brings to mind great moments and delicious plans.

However, there are certain typical Mediterranean foods that, in addition to being one of the richest, are healthy and help maintain a slim figure; we refer to the fruits. Around the world, this type of food is always at the top of healthy meals and today we will tell you about some of the Mediterranean fruits that you should try.

Tomatoes

Although many do not believe it, the tomato is considered a fruit, one of the most versatile and delicious in the entire plant kingdom. The confusion is normal because no one would be able to add tomato to a fruit salad, but nutritionists agree that the fruit category fits tomato perfectly.

Coming from America, the tomato has been part of the Mediterranean diet for hundreds of years, as well as its culture. Essential in salads, it is the base of all the fried foods that you can try in this region. It is also a great source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radical damage and protects against diseases, including cancer.

Apricots

Introduced by the Romans to Italy and Greece in 60-70 B.C., apricots have a long 5,000-year history that starts in northeastern China, where they were first discovered growing naturally. Today, they are widely cultivated in Italy and the sweetest apricots are found in June, July, and August.

Peaches

Arriving in Europe from Persia during the 1st century AD, peaches soon became a highly appreciated fruit throughout the Roman Empire. The tradition of peach cultivation has continued over the centuries, leading us to appreciate this fruit in all its varieties. The most popular varieties in Italy are yellow and white peaches and nectarines (also called ‘fishermen’ in Italian). For Italian territories, the best peaches are harvested from the middle of May to September

figs and grapes

If we talk about essential foods in the Mediterranean diet, we cannot fail to mention figs and grapes. For example, wine, which has been consumed in the region since time immemorial, is produced with the grapes that are harvested in the region. In addition, grapes are a great source of resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps fight the damaging action of free radicals and protects cells from various ailments.

In the same way, figs provide calcium to your diet, keep in mind when consuming them that they are fresh; in this way they will bring more benefits.

oranges

Oranges began their long history around the world in the Far East. The Arabs introduced it to the Peninsula during the 10th century. From then on it became one of the most popular fruits among the inhabitants of the Mediterranean region. Consuming the juice of this fruit provides a large amount of vitamin C, something essential for your body. Similarly, it protects you from infections; advisable for those who suffer from anemia as it helps in the absorption of iron. As if that were not enough, orange stimulates the elimination of uric acid through urine.

Coconut

Coconut is one of the most used fruits in the Mediterranean diet and has very important antioxidant properties for the human body. In addition, it has the ability to regulate blood pressure and lower triglycerides.

Pineapple

In addition to being delicious, pineapple is full of vitamins, minerals, fibers, and enzymes that help regulate the digestive system. The vitamin C it contains, little fat and sodium make it one of the most loved and used fruits, not only in the Mediterranean, but throughout the world