Eating With The Seasons

In my last post some tips were shared on how to live a simpler life. One of the tips was to eat in season. Many however aren’t sure what fruits or vegetables are in season and knowing this is essential to keeping your costs down. Although there may be times that you are craving a particular fruit or vegetable, understand that it is perfectly fine to treat yourself as long as you are aware of the costs involved. Again, as I always preach, everything in moderation is the key.

Since sharing my last post, I went on a quest to find a list of fruits and vegetables for each season. Frequenting the local produce markets will clue you in to what may be in season by simply observing the prices but of course that is not enough. Below is a list I was able to compose from my research and it’s ideal to keep near your grocery list. This list will help you determine what meals will be more cost effective and still eat with the season. 

January

Vegetables: cabbages, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower

Fruits: oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, tangelos, lemons and papayas

February

Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower

Fruits: oranges, grapefruits, lemons, papayas 

March

Vegetables: broccoli, lettuce

Fruits: pineapples, mangoes

April

Vegetables: zucchini, rhubarb, artichokes, asparagus, spring peas, broccoli, and lettuce

Fruits: pineapples, mangoes 

May

Vegetables: okra, zucchini, artichokes, asparagus, spring peas, broccoli, and lettuce

Fruits: cherries, pineapples, apricots

 

June

Vegetables: corn, lettuce

Fruits: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, cherries, blueberries, peaches, apricots

July

Vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash, corn, green beans, lettuce

Fruits: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches, apricots, kiwi, raspberries, plums

August

Vegetables: cucumbers, corn, eggplant, tomatoes, summer squash, green beans, lettuce

Fruits: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches, apricots, kiwi, raspberries, plums

September

Vegetables: eggplants, pumpkins, tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, peppers

Fruits: grapes, pomegranates

October

Vegetables: sweet potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash, broccoli, spinach lettuce

Fruits: cranberries, apples, pomegranates, grapes

November

Vegetables: pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, spinach

Fruits: cranberries, oranges, tangerines, pears, pomegranates

December

Vegetables: sweet potatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower

Fruits: pears, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, papayas, pomegranates

It also seems that bananas and celery are always in season. This may be due to the fact that they are shipped from other regions. Peppers are also available all year but in the fall they are the freshest. You may notice there are some vegetables that are missing such as carrots, parsnips and others and some fruits as well. There wasn’t a clear season for those particular ones so that is why I didn’t include them on the lists. 

However, if there is a vegetable you must have for a particular meal and it is not in season; a great alternative is to purchase them frozen. Frozen is often wiser than canned because they are flash frozen from a fresher state and the canned versions many times are filled with preservatives that may not appeal to all.  Another wonderful tip is to purchase your favorite fruits or vegetables in bulk while in season and freeze or can in your home. By canning and preserving in your home you know exactly what goes into each process unlike the ones you purchase in your local supermarket. 

Having an idea of what’s in season will help you prepare your meals and your lists before going to market and will also save you money and keep you and your family eating healthier.

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