Dirty Dozen: Top 12 Fruits and Vegetables to Buy Organic

Navigating the Organic Produce Aisle

Choosing organic can minimize your exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals used in traditional farming. Plus, researchers at the University of California at Davis found that, on average, organic produce contains more vitamin C, iron, and more magnesium compared to traditionally-grown foods. While the scientific research is still developing, the organic grocery aisle is expanding.

If you’re beginning to shop organic, the Environmental Working Group suggests starting with the following 12 fruits and vegetables that are most commonly treated with high concentrations of pesticides.

To get your taste buds motivated, we've paired each food with a recipe to maximize its flavor.

Peaches

Peach's rank No. 1 on the list of produce most susceptible to pesticides–thanks to their soft skin. Regardless of organic or conventional, make sure to wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water and if desired, serve peeled. Try the fresh stone fruit in this intriguing savory-sweet appetizer.

Recipe: Peach and Brie Quesadillas with Lime-Honey Dipping Sauce

Apples

Tart, fresh apples work best in our Apple Galette recipe. Buy organic tart apples at the supermarket or visit a local orchard. You can find a listing of orchards by location at AllAboutApples.com.

Recipe: Apple Galette

Bell Peppers

This recipe highlights roasted sweet bell peppers. Buy a variety of red, green, yellow, and orange bell peppers at your local farmers' market, and try them roasted in this summer chicken salad. The technique is an easy way to add big flavor.

Recipe: Corn and Roasted Pepper Salad

Celery

You'll need a bunch of celery that weighs about 1 3/4 pounds for this chilled salad recipe. Prepare the dates, cheese, and celery up to 4 hours ahead and assemble the salad just before serving, adding parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar.

Recipe: Date and Celery Salad

Nectarines

You'll be amazed at how tasty these simple snacks are. Peaches or plums also work well in place of the nectarines. You can assemble the bundles up to an hour in advance. Just cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe: Nectarine, Prosciutto, and Arugula Bundles

Strawberries

Roast strawberries with vanilla, butter, and sugar to tenderize and sweeten them, then borrow a technique from the savory side of the kitchen by simmering the pan juices with wine and vinegar. The result is fragrant, fruity, rich, and light all at once.

Recipe: Vanilla-Roasted Strawberries

Cherries

Cherries and almonds have a natural affinity; in fact, cherry pits have a bitter almond flavor. The ease of this special dessert belies its gorgeous appearance.

Recipe: Cherry-Almond Upside-Down Cake

Lettuce

Inspired by seasonal produce, this salad's framework is open to interpretation–and to the ingredients you have at your command. First, select the salad greens–soft butter lettuce, tasty mesclun salad greens, frisée, or escarole. Then, choose your favorite stone fruit–that is, fruits with pits. Finally, toss in a few toasted almond slices and crumble some fresh goat cheese on top for a savory note.

Recipe: Stone Fruit Salad with Toasted Almonds

Grapes (Imported)

Black, blue or red grapes work well in this recipe as long as they are fresh and firm. Although it's best enjoyed fresh from the oven, you can make the bread early in the day, then wrap it in foil and warm in the oven before serving. Serve with dipping oils.

Recipe: Rosemary-Scented Flatbread with Black Grapes

Pears

Make your own spiced pear sauce with fresh, ripe pears and serve on top of homemade pancakes or as a side for brunch.

Recipe: Fresh Pear-Cinnamon Topping

Spinach

Add an extra serving of greens to your diet with this unconventional soufflé. Check your local farmers' market for the freshest spinach.

Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Fallen Soufflé

Potatoes

Use this recipe's basic cooking technique to discover what a treat carefully cooked potatoes are in their skins with butter and parsley. In addition to being a tried-and-true side dish, these potatoes are great for making potato salad because they potatoes have not absorbed much water.

Recipe: Slow-cooked Potatoes

More Market-Fresh Recipes

Become an expert on fresh, top-quality produce with recipes that make the most of the earth's bounty.

• 7 Ways With Corn
• Superfood: Zucchini
• A Berry Sweet Ending