Stone fruit like peaches and plums are showing up at farmers’ markets and CSAs right now. This week, my CSA box came bearing these ruby red plums — petite and perfect for snacking.

Like many fruits, plums contain vitamin C and fiber. They’re also packed with a plant compound called chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant that benefits liver health and may help control blood sugar (this is also one of the antioxidants found in coffee).

Called a “stone fruit” because they contain a single seed (or pit), plums are related to apricots, peaches and cherries. You’ll find them in a variety of colors, including purple, yellow, blue and even green. These juicy and sweet red ones are on the smaller side, which makes them perfect for adding to salads and desserts. You can also cut them in half, remove the pit and quickly grill them to up their sweetness.

Recipes to try:
• Grilled Summer Fruit
• Plum Tart with Almond Pastry Crust