Healthy Summer Recipes for June

I asked last month and the general consensus was more of a mix, rather than just vegetarian dinner ideas. So here are some healthy summer recipes for June, the very beginning of summer and end of spring. In season now: stone fruits, rhubarb, berries, cucumber, berries, radishes, garlic (and garlic scapes), asparagus, elderflower, cherry tomatoes, new potatoes, greens (chard, rucola, lettuce), and early zucchini.

Here in the northern Netherlands, we’re seeing a big wave of local strawberries, potatoes, and asparagus not grown in greenhouses, and a lot of produce that’s still coming from hothouses. In our garden, right now it’s mostly still greens but by the end of the month I expect to be harvesting our earliest potatoes, berries from the new bushes, piles of herbs, peas, and maybe some beets.

If we’re very lucky, then maybe a cherry tomato or two. We won’t have any garlic scapes this year because we didn’t move in early enough to sow hard neck garlic – everything in our garden in general is a bit late because we’ve sowed it all from scratch this year. Nettle is still going strong if you like to forage, and makes a great pesto.

For this month, I’ve included recipes that feature the best of the season, with a variation here and there if needed. As usual, all the recipes are vegetarian and dairy free, and most are vegan and/or gluten free. Thinking of a specific ingredient? Check out these healthy rhubarb recipes and healthy strawberry recipes. 

Honey Elderflower Cordial

Sweet, seasonal elderflower cordial made with honey instead of sugar. This is very simple to make, simply mixing, stirring, and letting it steep for a few days before storing.

2 d 15 mins

Strawberry Brownies

Dairy free strawberry brownies with a berry swirl and spelt almond flour base. Rich, sweet, and with a strong strawberry flavour!

45 mins

Summer Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

This vegan strawberry salad is packed with the best of the season – early summer berries, fresh greens, herbs, and flowers. It's spring in a bowl, with lentils and a sweet strawberry vinaigrette.

10 mins

Strawberry Milk

Strawberry milk is a fun and simple way to use summer berries, perfect for both kids and adults. This healthier, vegan version of a childhood favourite is sweetened with vanilla and an optional touch of maple syrup.

5 mins

Gluten Free Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

This vegan & gluten free rhubarb crisp is made with chickpea flour and oats for a healthier, higher protein topping. Strawberries sweeten the naturally tart rhubarb alongside a little maple syrup for a simple and wholesome spring dessert.

35 mins

Super Green Spinach Pancakes

German-style thin spinach pancakes make a delicious vehicle for any fillings you like – pack these gluten free pancakes full with vegetables for an easy green weeknight dinner.

15 mins

Lemon Elderflower Popsicles

Elderflowers have such a short season, and these lemon elderflower popsicles with honey or maple syrup are a great way to capture their delicate flavour.

4 hrs 10 mins

Spring Green Vegetable Coconut Rice Noodles

These coconut rice noodles are packed with spring green vegetables like asparagus, spinach, and zucchini, and only need about 15 minutes from start to finish. Vegan, gluten free (with brown rice noodles), and with a creamy coconut milk ginger base.

20 mins

Roasted New Potato Salad with Lentils and Herb Dressing

This roasted French potato salad with lentils and a herby dressing is a far cry from standard mayo-filled potato salad – it's very light and a meal in itself with protein-packed lentils and spinach. The herb vinaigrette lifts everything up here, with dill, chives, and a little spicy mustard, perfect for picnics and barbecues.

1 hr

Apricot Galette

A beautiful early summer dessert, this simple apricot galette is made with a vegan spelt and rye flour pastry.

1 hr

Elderflower Lemonade

Elderflower lemonade, made with fragrant elderflowers, honey, and lemons. This is a floral, spring take on honey lemonade, and well worth seeking out elder for.

50 mins

Strawberry Elderflower Scone Cake

This giant vegan scone cake is flavoured with seasonal elderflower blossoms and strawberries for a very simple, beautiful spring dessert. If you can’t get elderflower, extra lemon zest makes a good substitute, or lilac blossoms.

40 mins

Beets and Greens Tart

This dairy and gluten-free beet tart is surprisingly simple to make, with a press in chickpea and oat flour crust, and shredded potatoes mixed with the beet base. It makes a beautiful weekend lunch or easy weeknight dinner.

1 hr

Strawberry Slush with Lime

A pretty, sparkling strawberry slush as a healthier alternative to pop in the spring, with a strawberry lime slush base topped with sparkling water. With a little honey and mint, it's a great drink for warm days and kids love it, too.

5 mins

Vegan Pesto Pizza

Vegan pesto pizza with a spelt sourdough crust. Topped with artichokes, tomato confit, zucchini, and plenty of dairy-free basil pesto.

28 mins

Vegetable Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Ready in 15 minutes, this easy vegetarian udon noodle stir fry is packed with veg. With a two-ingredient sauce, it's a great weeknight meal.

20 mins

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