Spring is just around the corner and as the days get longer, the air feels warmer, and things start to come alive again. It’s a time of renewal and many start to embrace the revitalizing feeling of the changing season. During this time, many people start to clean up their eating habits, while others cleanse or fast prior to the Easter holiday. No matter your reason for abstaining from certain foods or changing up your dietary habits, we’ve put together an amazing list of 40 great snacking ideas that are perfect for this time of year and will leave you feeling great!
Traditionally, Lent is 40 days of penance prior to Easter. Whether you are religious or not, today many people participate differently; from practicing fasting, religious food restrictions, giving up certain luxuries, or starting healthier habits. For certain religions, this time of year is a symbolic time seen as a period of prayer, penance, repentance and self-denial. For some, this time can be seen as a great opportunity for introspection, mindfulness on how they are fuelling their bodies, and letting go of things to better themselves. Many participate by simply cutting out unhealthy foods like sugar, processed foods, bad fats, and even restricting carbohydrates. The great news is, you can still Live Deliciously® with tasty fresh greenhouse-grown vegetables no matter the season. Check out these 40 #snackhealthy recipes featuring our collection of snacking tomatoes, energizing crunchy cucumbers, and vibrant flavorful peppers.
SEAFOOD INSPIRED SNACKS
Some religions’ guidelines for fasting include to abstain from eating meat during Lent, but fish and other seafood are allowed all Fridays. We’ve got some great substitutes to snack on that could easily serve as one of the smaller snack meals during your day of fasting or they can be enjoyed daily for those who are looking to consume less meat during this time.
SALMON CUCUMBER BITES
Simple, crunchy, and creamy finger food perfection! These little Mini Cucumbers and smoked salmon appetizer bites make a perfect light snack high in protein.
GRILLED SHRIMP SKEWERS WITH JUNO BITES
As the nice weather approaches, enjoy grilling these shrimp skewers with juicy Juno® Bites Grape Tomatoes.
SHEET PAN SHRIMP AND TOMATOES
The flavors and textures of our Sangria® Medley Tomatoes complement the sweetness of the shrimp and crunchy asparagus in this easy sheet pan snack! Perfect for a busy Friday evening!
CRAB STUFFED MUSHROOMS
Perfect as an appetizer, snack or a small meal, these crab stuffed mushrooms are bursting with flavor with our Cloud 9® Bite-Sized Fruity Tomatoes!
TUNA SALAD & BELL PEPPER SANDWICH
The delicious balance of tuna, apples and sweet bell peppers is a perfect crunchy savoury-sweet creamy snack.
SMOKED SALMON TOSTADA
A colorful dish featuring the Craft House Collection® Aurora Sweets Long Sweet Peppers and Mini San Marzano. Easy enough to make but so delicious.
CUCUMBER SHRIMP COCKTAIL
A twist on the traditional ceviche recipe with fresh Mini Cucumbers, melon and Roma tomatoes, served in appetizer-sized portions and dressed with a little tortilla chip!
SALMON CUCUMBER APPETIZERS
Simple, yet fancy, these Salmon Cucumber Appetizers with Poco Bites® Cocktail Cucumbers are the perfect balance of crunchy, smooth, and savory.
SHRIMP & MINI SWEET PEPPER TACOS
The ultimate shrimp taco, featuring the sweetest Mini Peppers, is a great way to enjoy seafood with the family.
SHRIMP SALAD WITH CUCUMBER AND FENNEL
A light and refreshing shrimp salad with Long English Cucumbers, you can enjoy a light snacking lunch or dinner.
VEGAN INSPIRED SNACKS
If you are looking for delicious recipes that are plant-based (meatless, dairy-free, and egg-free) we have some vegan-inspired snacks that will satisfy your taste buds with delicious, sustainable, and healthy greenhouse-grown vegetables. Some choose to go vegan for Lent due to the health benefits of plant-based diets. Medical studies have linked consumption of animal products with an elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer, and other diseases.
MEDITERRANEAN CUCUMBER BOATS
Cute little Pure Flavor® Mini Cucumbers boats with crunchy Aurora Bites Mini Sweet Peppers are a great, well-balanced snack for kids and adults alike!
CUCUMBER CHICKPEA CHAAT
This tangy chaat recipe is super healthy and sure to please the taste buds with our Mini Cucumbers and Beefsteak Tomatoes.
TOMATO KACHUMBER
Crunchy cucumbers, tangy tomatoes, and authentic Indian flavors, this tasty salad is refreshing, healthy and satisfying!
CURRIED POTATO AND MINI PEPPERS
This recipe is super simple and easy to make. It’s perfect to serve along with naan bread or rice and is a great meal idea for vegans.
SWEET POTATO & AZUCA CHERRY TOMATO TACOS
Vegan tacos with an extra kick! Sweet potatoes, garlic, pickled jalapeños and Azuca Cherry Tomatoes combine for a spicy and savory flavor.
CUCUMBER & HUMMUS OPEN SANDWICH
Perfect for an appetizer or snack, these pretty open sandwiches are crunchy with Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers and full of flavor with tangy beet hummus.
VEGETARIAN INSPIRED SNACKS
If you are looking for delicious meatless recipes, complete with good, healthy fats, we have included some vegetarian snack ideas. A vegetarian lifestyle can offer nutritional benefits based on the high consumption of vegetables and fruits in the diet. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check.
GREEK SALAD ON A STICK
Simple and full of flavor, try these bite-sized Greek salads with Pure Flavor® Cloud 9® Bite-Sized Fruity Tomatoes, with our refreshing Mini Cucumbers.
AURORA BOATS
These bite-sized Aurora Boats are perfect with our Sangria® Medley tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese and drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
MEXICAN STREET SALAD
If you love antojitos, you’ll enjoy this Mexican Street Salad full of fresh flavors, sweet Cloud 9® Bite-Sized Fruity Tomatoes with a tangy dressing.
CUCUMBER CHICKPEA MINI PIZZAS
A mild, creamy, veggie-based mini pizza recipe that will make an impression on friends and family.
SWEET GRAPE TOMATO BREAKFAST TOSTADAS
Start your day with a fruity blast of sweetness courtesy of these breakfast tostadas featuring Cloud 9® tomatoes.
SANGRIA CAPRESE BRUSCHETTA
This cucumber Caprese bruschetta is a bright and flavorful snack with cucumber, tomatoes, basil, garlic, and fresh mozzarella served on toasted baguette slices.
SWEET POTATO CUCUMBER BITES
A unique recipe with sweet potatoes and refreshing Pure Flavor® Mini Cucumbers. Top with sweet pomegranate arils and Greek yogurt.
TOMATOES CONFIT
Confit cooking is a French method of preserving food in which ingredients are cooked slowly to release their flavors. Dip a baguette to experience the flavorful appetizer.
HEALTHY DIPS TO SNACK ON
Are you a big fan of crunchy and salty snacks like potato chips that seem too hard to give up? Munch on these guilt-free, healthy dips for your next movie night or get-together. Most salty and crunchy snacks are addicting and are high in fat – aka processed, not-so-good, saturated fat and chemically processed salt that you can easily overindulge in. The dips suggested below contain fresh vegetables, that are low in natural sodium, which is great for our bodies, with good healthy fats to fuel up and feel satisfied.
ORGANIC TOMATO BASIL HUMMUS
The perfectly smooth and creamy organic hummus blended with our very own Organic Luna® Sweets Cocktail Tomatoes.
GARLIC ROSEMARY DIP
A nourishing and satisfying dip with Everything Bagel Seasoning served with our crunchy Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers.
BALSAMIC TOMATO DIP
The perfect dip for any gathering! Juicy tomatoes, black beans and avocados combined with a balsamic vinaigrette – your guests will love the flavors!
ROASTED PEPPER HUMMUS
Simple to make and better than store-bought, this hummus is full of fresh flavors!
LOADED HUMMUS WITH CHERRY TOMATOES
With this easy-to-prepare app, you’ll taste all the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean in each dip.
SNACKING BOARDS
Snacks don’t have to spoil your dinner; they can often replace your meals or help curb your appetite to prevent overeating at your next meal. It seems nowadays with busy life schedules; people are gravitating more to snacking as meals, with grazing boards rather than big entrees and side dishes. It’s great for entertaining and it’s always good for a bento box option for lunches. Variety is key and we have compiled some fun ideas that are quick and easy with our tasty snacking tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and ever-so-sweet peppers.
KIDS HUMMUS PLATTER
This healthy hummus platter is perfect for an easy lunch or after-school snack! With our very own Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers, Sweet Bell Peppers, and RedRoyals™ Sweet Cherry Tomatoes On-The-Vine.
FRUIT & VEGGIE EASTER SKEWERS
A great alternative to sugary sweets and candy, surprise your family with this fun and delicious Easter activity.
KIDS EASTER SNACKING TRAY
A tasty and memorable activity to engage the whole family on the value of healthy nutrition.
SNACK BOARD
Snack boards with crackers provide carbohydrates and the cheese adds protein and fat. Include a variety of vegetables and fruit for antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
GOURMET VEGGIE PLATTER
This gourmet veggie platter is a light and refreshing snack, featuring Pure Flavor® Organic Aurora Bites Mini Sweet Peppers, Sangria® Medley Tomatoes, and Long English Cucumbers.
GREEK MEZZE PLATTER
Perfect for an evening with friends! Have fun assembling or customizing your platter with easy and fresh ingredients.
HEALTHY INSPIRED TREATS
If you decided to abstain from sugar and sweet treats this spring or Lent, we have some great options to satisfy your sweet tooth with healthy hydrating cucumbers. The recipes below are sugar-free, with natural sugar substitutes or fresh fruits.
CUCUMBER MANGO SKEWERS
A refreshingly simple treat featuring tropical mangoes, crisp cucumbers and fragrant mint.
CUCUMBER MINT SORBET
Fragrant and refreshing, this sorbet recipe with Poco Bites® Cocktail Cucumbers is an elegant dessert that delights.
CUCUMBER LEMON SHORTBREAD COOKIES
A sweet and tangy dairy-free, sugar-free shortbread cookie, swirled with a sweet cucumber filling.
We hope that these 40 essential #snackhealthy ideas leave you inspired to focus on healthier options, and that they make your life easier whether you partake in Lent or have your own way of spring detoxing. The benefit of fresh, greenhouse-grown vegetables means that no matter the season, they are available to you to help you Live Deliciously®. Having nutritious foods readily available certainly make it easier to make healthy choices. So, no matter if you have decided to abstain from certain foods, or choose to form healthier habits this Spring, there are great options for all ways of eating. You never have to sacrifice flavor when snacking or cooking with fresh greenhouse-grown veggies.
