Patch Picks: 5 Delicious Veggies Now at Their Peak

If you don’t have a garden of your own, find a local farmers market or farmstand via Buy Fresh Buy Local's Greater Lehigh Valley website. If you live in the Hellertown-Lower Saucon area, be sure to check out the produce available at the , which is held Sundays from 9am to 1pm in Hellertown's .

1. Sweet Corn

The first sweet and tender ears of the season have arrived! Enjoy fresh corn steamed, grilled or in salads and other dishes.

2. Beans

Mundane in winter, green or yellow (or even purple) string beans are gourmet fare in July. Three bean salad, anyone?

3. Zucchini

Yes, the first green zeppelins are welcomed (unlike the invasion due in a couple weeks). If it's not too hot to bake, you can turn some of them into loaves of moist zucchini bread. Sauteed with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, fresh zucchini also makes for a wonderful side dish.

4. Broccoli

For salads, stir-fry or soup, this green vegetable is among the healthiest and tastiest. Try it simply dressed in a salad with raisins, pine nuts and bacon bits (optional), or chop it up and enjoy it with your favorite dip.

5. Red Beets

Do not discount these wonderful edibles until you try them this way: wash, trim and bake them in a shallow pan in a 400-degree oven until tender. Cool, peel, slice and enjoy with oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.