It is easy to aspire to seasonal eating during the summer. Winter brings on the blahs from the cold frigid temperatures, dry skin, and the bulky clothes we are required to wear. What if I told you that the seasonal produce selections in the winter do not need to be limited to pots of soup or goulash? What if your food could make you feel like you are in the sunshine? Even for a moment….
See…I got you excited. Food is meant to be eaten when it is at the peak of freshness. The fruits and vegetables available to us for the best price in our groceries also offer higher nutrients and vitamins. All of those things are what we are supposed to be eating. I know it is easy to want to eat strawberries in January however they are always a disappointment. They may be big and beautiful but one bite immediately confirms what you thought. They are not sweet. That is because they are the late spring or summer fruit. Winter fruits include oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, mandarines, kiwi, and kumquats. Combine these with root vegetables in a salad and your food will immediately brighten up.
Experiment with different varieties of vegetables. One of my favorite new veggie finds is Romanesco. It is a cross between cauliflower and broccoli if they had a baby. It looks like a giant succulent/dinosaur veggie. Bright chartreuse green and tastes amazing. I highly recommend you pick up some at a farmers market or local greengrocer.
