Eating seasonal food? (spinoff from Homesteadmama and Sunshine's tips)

[Early Bird]

I've heard about eating what's in season, but ...

What dishes do you make according to what's in season? Fresh salads in summer, okay. But what else?

[Darlene]

In the winter I use lots of root vegetables in my cooking as they are cheaper and plentiful. Things such as carrots, potatoes, beets, parsnips they go into soups & stews and as sides.

[Valerie in WA]

Squash in the fall. Apples in the fall. Oranges in the winter. Grapes in the summer. Soft fruits like peaches and plums in the summer. Corn on the cob in the summer...

For me, seasonal eating is more related to fresh fruits and vegetables. It doesn't seem to apply to canned or frozen, nor to meats or grains.

[Sara Noel]

Here's a nice little guide to what is in season and when:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cook..._32191,00.html

[homesteadmamma]

Here is a partial list of seasonal food. You can find recipes accordinly. btw - some of these might be a little different where you live, although these are pretty accurate.

January

Fruits: apples, grapes, oranges, pears, bananas
Veggies: broccoli, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, parsnips, potatoes, turnips

February

Fruits: apples, grapes, oranges, pears, bananas
Veggies: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, potatoes, turnips

March

Fruits: apples, grapes, oranges, pears, bananas
Veggies: broccoli, celery, lettuce (depends on the the growing season), onions, parsnips, radishes

April
Fruits: apples, bananas, pears, rhubarb (free if you have it in your garden)
Veggies: broccoli, celery, lettuce, young onions, parsnips,

May
Fruits: cherries (depending where you are), melons, pears, rhubarb (free if you have it in your garden), strawberries.
Veggies: If you have your own garden you should have chives and a few herbs, green onions - all free. Asparagus (free if in your garden), beans, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, early potatoes (free if in your garden) and a variety of herbs.

June
Fruits: apricots, blackberries, cherries, melons, nectarines, peaches, pears, pineapple, raspberries, rhubarb and strawberres (free if in your garden).
Veggies: asparagus, beans (free if in your garden), cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, parsnips, potatoes, peas (free if in your garden).

July, August and Sept.
Many people have their own gardens so I won't post for these months.

Oct.
Fruits: apples, bananas, grapes, pears,
Veggies: beets, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, carrots, potatoes, squash, pumpkins (all free if in your garden)

Nov.
Fruits: apples, grapes, pears, bananas
Veggies: cabbage, carrots, celery, lettuce, late cucumbers, onions

Dec.
Fruits: apples, grapes, oranges, bananas, pears
Veggies: broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, parsnips, turnips

Remember, some of these you'll find higher in price during the months they are seasonal because the growing season has been bad, there has been a natural disaster, etc. I go by how the gardening season has gone here. I also find that when gardening season is on and there is a good harvest, you'll find most of those veggies at a good price. The same is true for some fruits. When it's picking season here for strawberries and it's been a good year, you can purchase strawberries cheaper at the local grocery stores than you can at the strawberry farms. You'll find the same with lettuce. When it first starts appearing in gardener's gardens, the price drops because many are eating from their garden.

Also watch prices on fish and meats. Some fish are seasonal, some meats are (steaks especially or pork chops during summer months).

btw - you'll also find some things that are usually good prices all year through: bananas, carrots, cabbage, apples, turnips.

[jlxian]

Originally posted by Early Bird
I've heard about eating what's in season, but ...

What dishes do you make according to what's in season? Fresh salads in summer, okay. But what else?

Lots of soups, stews, chili, bean (dried beans) dishes in the winter. I used to use the oven a lot in the cooler/cold months, cooking lasagne, baked poultry, etc., but will be backing off of this practice this year since our stove is propane fueled.

[canadian gardener]

I ditto. Lots of crockpot stuff, stews, soups in winter. Salady cold stuff in summer and BBQs.

I have a routine list of veggies, plus what's in season and looks good or is on the good sales.

Asparagus and strawberries in the springtime are a pure celebration of life in the spring and we all look forward to that.

Squashes and fresh apples in the fall just taste so much better.