Seasonal Eating…

Since produce is available to us year round, it can be difficult trying to understand what is actually in season and what is not. Of course you should always look for ripe, fresh fruits and vegetables, however you might want to check with your local grocer to see what is the perfect food for each season. But until then… here is a simple guide to help get you started…

FALL FOODS

• winter squash (acorn, butternut, buttercup, delicata, hubbard, kabocha)
• apples
• beets
• belgian endive
• brussels sprouts
• cranberries
• figs
• grapes
• mushrooms
• parsnips
• pears
• pomegranates
• pumpkin
• sweet potatoes
• swiss chard

WINTER FOODS

• chestnuts
• grapefruit
• kale
• leeks
• lemons
• oranges/tangerines
• radicchio
• radishes
• rutabaga
• turnips

SPRING FOODS

• apricots
• artichokes
• asparagus
• avocados
• carrots
• cherries
• chicory
• chives
• collards
• dandelion greens
• fennel
• mangoes
• mustard greens
• new potatoes
• peas
• rhubarb
• spinach
• spring lettuces
• strawberries
• sugar, snap and snow peas
• watercress

SUMMER FOODS

• bell peppers
• blackberries
• blueberries
• raspberries
• broccoli
• corn
• cucumbers
• eggplant
• green beans
• nectarines
• okra
• peaches
• pineapples
• plums
• summer squash
• tomatoes
• watermelon
• zucchini

HEY, WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?:

• healthier
• cost effective
• enjoy a greater variety
• better for the environment
• very delicious!

According to Esther Blum, author of Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous: A Nutritionist’s Guide to Living Well While Living It Up, fresh food is also the most nutritious. And that nutritional boost might pay off under the mistletoe: “When your diet is naturally richer in vitamins and minerals then you are going to increase your chances of beating a cold and keeping your immune system solid through the holiday party season,” says Blum.

Yummm!!! That’s good enough for me!!

Originally posted on Clayzmama.