Summer Months Herald Fresh Menu Inspiration

KEY INSIGHTS

• The warmer weather presents a great opportunity to promote your outdoor dining space and also heralds the arrival of many seasonal vegetables and fruits which you can utilise on the menu 
• This includes many ingredients ideal for Italian style cuisine, from beetroot, asparagus and artichoke to capsicum, celery and eggplant 
• Dessert pizzas can also benefit from fresh berries which are at their peak in summer along with tropical fruits such as passionfruit, pawpaw and mangoes 
• Summer is also a terrific time of year for fresh seafood, ideal for antipasto plates and to enhance your marina pasta dishes 

The increased focus on outdoor dining that’s been a consequence of the government’s Covid response is one you can capitalise upon with the arrival of the summer months.

But not only does the warmer weather present a great opportunity to promote your al fresco dining areas, it also heralds the arrival of many seasonal vegetables and fruits which you can utilise on the menu. Many of these make perfect toppings for main or dessert pizzas, and others are ideal for pasta. With a little imagination and effort, you can devise some fabulous seasonal specials to complement your standard pizza and pasta offering and give your customers some extra variety.

Not only is utilising seasonal produce a great way of demonstrating your commitment to freshness – it also gives your customers the sense that they’re getting something special. Summer brings with it great quality fresh ingredients ideal for Italian style cuisine, such as beetroot, asparagus and artichokes. Other seasonal vegetables widely and cheaply available at this time of year include capsicum, celery and eggplant – all of which are the perfect choice as pizza toppings as well as terrific in pasta dishes.

For the dessert pizza, you’re spoilt for choice in summer – it’s the season for fresh berries, with blackberries, blueberries, loganberries, raspberries and strawberries all at their peak. Tropical fruits like passionfruit, pawpaw, mangoes and melons are likewise abundantly available in fresh quantities.

Looking beyond the vegetable and fruit options, the warmer weather is also a terrific time of year for fresh seafood. Scallops, mussels and oysters are all popular on the menu at this time of year – ideal for seafood antipasto plates. And of course, you can enhance your marinara pasta dishes with the freshest quality seafood.

With all these foods available at peak quality, now’s the time to broaden the menu, polish up those special boards, get out the coloured chalk and let your customers know that you’re committed to offering them the best and freshest of great Aussie produce!

So talk to your foodservice distributor today, visit your local market or check out what’s on offer at the big fruit and vegie suppliers in your area. Let your customers know via your website or social media - work out your recipes, take photos, post them online. It’s a great way to generate interest over the summer months and get more business through your doors!

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