I think most of us have heard that the way to go when preparing delicious dishes is to “buy seasonal”. But, what does that mean? I have included a list of when certain produce is in season. And, remember, just because your grocery store is selling a certain type of fruit or vegetable doesn’t mean it is in season—look at the label to see where it’s from. There are few places in the U.S. that can grow things like grape, watermelon, and strawberries in the winter…so they are coming from storage or another country.
The reason you should buy produce when it is in season is because that will be the when that food is at it’s peak taste and nutrition. I like Whole Foods because most of their produce is seasonal and it’s a bit easier to shop that way, Trader Joe’s does this as well. And, during the summer, try to buy items that say “Local product” because you are supporting local farmers. Farmer’s Markets will always have fresh, local, seasonal produce…usually picked that morning or the night before—and I can tell you there is nothing better than food that has just been harvested—the difference is amazing!
If you hit “cntrl + click” on each item below, it will take you to a page that tells you a little bit about that food, which might be helpful if you aren’t familiar with it. Also, one of my favorite cookbooks in my collection is “From Asparagus to Zucchini” {available on Amazon}—this book goes through each veggie alphabetically and tells you the history of the food, how to store and prepare it, and includes recipes for each. Wonderful resource!
So, print out this handy tool and happy shopping! 
Winter/Fall:
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Onions
Leeks
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Radishes
Greens (Spinach, Arugula, Lettuce, Kale, Swiss Chard, Collards)
Turnips
Winter Squash
Apples (early winter)
Spring:
Asparagus
Beets
Celery
Spring Onions
Greens (Arugula, Lettuce, Kale, Spinach, Swiss Chard)
Peas
Peppers
Turnips
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Summer:
Artichokes (limited availability)
Greens (Arugula, Collards, Kale, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard)
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumber
Eggplant
Garlic
Beans
Onions
Peppers
Recent Comments