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Funnel cake, where have you been? 15 foods to savor this summer

We don't have to tell you that food is one of the best things about summer. Fruits and veggies are at their best (really, do you even want to bother eating a fresh tomato any other time of the year?), the steaming weather makes anything cold extra refreshing, and there's just something special about eating al fresco on a warm evening. So check out our summer food bucket list—and cross off every
Summer Food to Eat
funnel cake, corn on the cob, sno coneKreg Holt/The Image Bank/Getty Images; Thomas Barwick/Taxi/Getty Images; Ann Cecil/Lonely Planet Images/Getty Images / Today
Summer Food to Eat
Today

We don't have to tell you that food is one of the best things about summer. Fruits and veggies are at their best (really, do you even want to bother eating a fresh tomato any other time of the year?), the steaming weather makes anything cold extra refreshing, and there's just something special about eating al fresco on a warm evening. So check out our summer food bucket list—and cross off every one of these tasty to-dos before Labor Day.

Mister Softee Soft-Serve Cone

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We can skip the chocolate cone dip, but no towering twist of soft-serve is complete without sprinkles. (Or jimmies, if you insist.)

Summer Food to Eat
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Burgers and Ballpark Hot Dogs

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Nothing's more American than chowing down on some meat between a bun. Don't feel guilty—it's practically your patriotic duty.

Summer Food to Eat
Today

Corn on the Cob

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You can't be dainty when gnawing on a buttery, salty ear of fresh corn (especially one that's hot off the grill). So don't even fight it.

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Freshly-Squeezed Lemonade

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You know what they say: When life hands you lemons, make a refreshing glass of ice cold lemonade. (Maybe add some vodka to it, too.)

S’mores
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S’mores

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The ooey-gooey goodness of melted marshmallow, warm chocolate and crunchy graham cracker is, frankly, the only reason we go camping.

Summer Food to Eat
Today

BLTs with Ripe Tomatoes

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We usually say bacon makes anything better, but at this time of year, the vine-ripened tomato is the star of this sandwich.

Summer Food to Eat
Today

Fresh-Picked Strawberries

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Whether you plucked them at a strawberry patch or "picked" them up at the grocery store, the mouthwatering fruit screams summertime more than Will Smith.

Summer Food to Eat
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Fish Tacos

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You don't have to be catching waves like a pro to nosh on this classic surf shack fare.

Summer Food to Eat
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Funnel Cakes

Kreg Holt/The Image Bank/Getty Images

We're skipping the rides and getting in line for the sinfully good fried-dough foods at the fair: corn dogs on a stick, zeppole and, of course, funnel cakes.

Summer Food to Eat
Today

Cherries

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Eating your way through a bowl of sweet, ruby-red Bing cherries will make you forget what a Snickers bar is. Maybe...

Summer Food to Eat
Today

Cocktails in Coconuts

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Even if you're simply chilling in your own backyard, a teeny-tiny umbrella in your drink just makes life better.

Clams at a Clambake
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Clams at a Clambake

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Forget the linguine and chowder: Clams never taste better than when they're boiled in sea water over a bonfire right on the beach.

Summer Food to Eat
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Potato Salad (and Other BBQ Sides)

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Barbecues are like Thanksgiving. Sometimes your plate is so loaded up with the yummy sides—like creamy potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad and coleslaw, you're like, "where’s the beef?" Oops.

Summer Food to Eat
Today

Sno-Cones

Ann Cecil/Lonely Planet Images/Getty Images

It's totally okay to pay money for a cup of crushed ice.

Watermelon\" Summer Food to Eat
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Watermelon

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A slice of juicy watermelon bigger than your head makes up for the 8 months of freezing cold temps you have to endure the rest of the year.

A version of this story originally appeared on iVillage.