10 Jul How to Eat Seasonally

A couple weekends ago, at the farmers market, a man came to our booth to purchase some eggs and asked who at the market was selling asparagus.

I didn’t mean to, but I have been blessed with an expressive face, so I pouted a bit and explained that none of the vendors did. It was too late in the season for asparagus.

He looked at me like that was the craziest thing.

I continued to explain that asparagus is a really early season vegetable and it’s really only around for a few weeks. We saw it at the late April and early May markets.

Still, he thought this was crazy.

I am a big fan of the phrase, “You can’t be expected to know what you have not been taught.”

Especially when it comes to food.

In today’s world, everything you could ever want to eat is available whenever you want it so there are many people completely unaware of seasonality. It’s not their fault.

And, even as you start to learn more and try to incorporate seasonality into your diet it can still be tricky. Here are a few of our tips that Adam and I have picked up along our journey to eating seasonally.

Do a little research:

Less than five years ago, I wouldn’t have know about asparaguses short season. Or when it is. But, since gaining interest in eating seasonally I have begun to study up.

Books and google are great, but so is taking cues from your local farmer’s market and restaurant menus, especially those that source local ingredients and rotate their offerings. You will quickly be able to see what’s available and gauge how long it sticks around. This is really nice because the climate is different everywhere. This will teach you what is truly seasonal to your area.

Shop small:

The best way to make conscious, seasonal food choices is to shop for local food. This may mean stopping by a smaller grocery store or going to the market on the weekends. It may even mean befriending a farmer and arranging pick up at the farm.

Try New Things:

Most produce is in season for only a short window of time so when you start eating seasonally you will want to take advantage of it.

But, it may feel like you are eating the same thing all the time, or you might even get bored. To prevent this, grab a couple cookbooks or get on Pinterest to find new recipes for the seasonal ingredient to keep meal time fresh and exciting.

A fun bonus- Many cookbooks are organized by season so finding in-season inspiration is that much easier!

Plan for the Off Season:

At the end of a fruit or vegetables season, you might be able to work a deal with a farmer or even find lower prices because they are trying to get rid of what’s remaining.

Pick up a book on preserving and learn how to store your seasonal favorites for when you will not be able to find it… unless it were shipped thousands of miles.  If your really want to get on board with seasonality, invest it a deep freezer too!

Relish it:

I have learned that in season produce just tastes better. It’s doesn’t matter what it is: tomatoes, asparagus or berries. When they are out of season, they taste like nothing. Or worse, they are just bad.

But, when they are in season? Their flavor is smack you in the face good. So, at times like right now, when blueberries are everywhere you look. We eat them like they are going out of style because, well, they are.