
Food tastes better when it is in season. Thereâs a reason why tomatoes taste bland and mealy in the winter. Theyâre a summer vegetable, after all. Seasonal eating has other benefits as well. It champions small farms over mass agricultural providers, reduces carbon footprints (out of season food is shipped and distributed thousands of miles), and supports local economies. Here are four tips for eating seasonally.
Buy Local
So whatâs in season? The best way to find out is to look out the window. If the farmers in your region are growing it, then itâs in season. If you shop at farmersâ markets, farm stands and greengrocers, or purchase a share (CSA) at a local farm, youâre guaranteed to get the freshest, cleanest, and most nutrient-packed food.
Preserve
Foods that are naturally abundant now wonât be naturally abundant later. Pickling, canning, and freezing are easy ways to eat seasonally long after the season has passed. Whether youâre pickling cucumbers, blanching and canning tomatoes to use later as pasta sauce, or making jam from blueberries, preserving food when itâs at the height of its freshness helps it stay âin seasonâ throughout the year.
Meal Planning
Eating seasonally takes preparation and pre-planning. No, itâs not as easy as going to the store and buying a pre-made box meal; however, itâs not difficult either. In order to be successful, sit down and plan a weekâs worth of meals. Seasonal meals are in harmony with natureâs rhythms so when you plan the menu, base it on foods that are in season.
Keep It Simple
Eating in season doesnât have to be complicated or overwhelming. While home cooking takes more time than simply putting a meal in the microwave, you donât need to spend three hours over a hot stove on a weeknight trying to create a Michelin star-worthy meal. Keep it simple. Besides, who says a home cooked meal needs to be cooked in the kitchen? Gas and charcoal grills make seasonal cooking as easy as flipping a burger. Find inspiration from whatâs in season, not from whatâs trending on Pinterest or Instagram.
While only a diehard foodie is going to lambast you if you grill asparagus in the winter, understanding the growing season and knowing where your food comes from will help you better connect with your community, not to mention the planet.