capsicumscolouredPacked with Vitamin C and A, brightly coloured capsicums are at their peak in summer and autumn, so make the most of these sweet healthy vegetables while they’re at their best. You’ll find them at a variety of stalls at the market – try Everest Farm, Coopers Shoot Tomatoes and Jumping Red Ant .

Fresh: Cut into strips for the kid’s lunchboxes, add to stir fries, or combine with red onion and cucumber for a quick salad.

As a dip: Roast your capsicums for the best flavour. Combine about three roast capsicums with 125g softened cream cheese, two crushed garlic cloves and some salt and pepper blend in a food processor. Sprinkle with half a cup of finely chopped basil. You can also do a dairy and gluten free version with a cup of cashews soaked overnight, one roast capsicum, a couple of cloves of roasted garlic, 1/4 cup almond milk, 1 teaspoon dried coriander and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Blend in a food processor until smooth and top with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.

Stuffed: An easy and delicious mid-week meal with countless variations. Cut the ‘lid’ off the capsicum, sprinkle the inside with some salt and then cover and pre-cook in the oven for about 10 minutes before filling with savoury mince sprinkled with cheese, or rice, tomato, pine nuts and fresh herbs. Bake for another 15-20 minutes

Preserved: Preserving capsicums is a great way to use up a glut from the garden or to make the most of them while they are in season – they’re often cheaper when they are in abundance, so you can buy a lot in bulk. Roast your capsicums first, then once they’re clean, pack them into sterilised jars with some thinly sliced garlic. Combine half to one cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup red wine vinegar and about a teaspoon of salt in jug then pour over capsicum. Seal and store in the fridge to use with antipasto, to stir through pasta, in lasagne, sandwiches, on pizza or in sauces and stews.