The month of June is marked by lots of festivals, fairs, games, and of course, typical June festival foods. You can enjoy the traditional popular culture festival by having fun in a healthy and sustainable way. How about learning more about some typical foods and preparations?
Corn: harvested mainly in the month of June, this cereal is very versatile and is an ingredient in preparations such as green corn cake, hominy, corn juice and tamale. Very tasty, pay attention to its consumption and preparation method, as this food is rich in carbohydrates, a source of energy and sugars, which can lead to weight gain.
Quentão: the traditional drink served at June festivals whets the palate and warms you up on cold nights. Its recipe uses cachaça, sugar, water and spices as ingredients. Due to the presence of alcohol and sugar, this drink has a high caloric value and can lead to rapid drunkenness. An alternative is to make the recipe by replacing the alcohol with natural juice, tea or entirely with water.
Peanuts: found mainly in paçocas, pé-de-molque and cakes. It has a high nutritional quality, being a source of folic acid, selenium and monounsaturated fats, contributing positively to anti-inflammatory actions and the nervous system, but should be consumed in moderation. Pay attention when purchasing peanuts so that they have the Quality Seal, which guarantees the origin, quality and food safety of the product.
Coconut: present in many preparations such as cocada, quindim, cakes, tapioca, the versatile tropical fruit, highlights proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins A and B, minerals such as potassium and magnesium. It is used in food, whether through its water and pulp (which includes grated coconut, bran, oil, milk), to the cosmetics industry, soap production and handicrafts.
Pine nuts: served cooked. Despite being a source of starch – which makes it rich in calories, it also contains B vitamins – calcium, phosphorus and proteins. Furthermore, it is a source of omega 6 and 9, which help control blood cholesterol.
Ginger: widely used in June drinks and preparations, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action, in addition, it helps in the treatment of respiratory diseases and the prevention of some diseases.
Enjoy the typical foods of the June festivals, but don't forget to consume them in moderation.