Nourish Yourself: Seasonal Cooking

“Every time you eat is an opportunity to nourish your body” – Unknown 

Seasonal cooking, when you consume produce close to the time that it’s harvested, is a great way to eat no matter where you live. This differs from eating something that is harvested, flash-frozen, and then purchased or eaten months later. You can buy lots of produce year-round in your local grocery store, but it’s probably not fresh or local if it’s out of season! Seasonal food is fresher and more nutritious and the best part is, it tastes better. Since seasonal produce doesn’t need to be shipped great distances, it’s still fresh and tasty by the time it ends up in your kitchen.

The best way to find out what’s in season is to shop local. You know how much I love farmer’s markets. In addition to inspiring new soap scents and recipes, farmer’s markets are a wonderful resource to introduce you to new produce.  Farmers are always selling the freshest local produce and can often offer tips on how to prepare items that you are not familiar with. Another option is to join a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Farmers partner with CSA’s to offer “shares” of their crops with the public. Consumers pay a membership fee in exchange for a weekly box of fresh produce. CSA’s are a great way to become exposed to new fruits and vegetables. They can be a fun way for kids to try new things—who knows they may be more inclined to eat vegetables since they are coming from “their” farm.

While eating seasonally is recommended year-round because of its environmental, health, and economic benefits, it’s especially nice in fall. As the temperatures in the northeast drop and the sun starts to set earlier, we turn to comfort foods– hearty, warm, and full of color! Produce that is in-season in my home state of New York in the fall include apples, butternut squash, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, pumpkin, and more. Looking for a healthy fall recipe to try this week? Look no further than this nutrient-packed butternut squash and kale salad with pomegranate, toasted almonds, and goat cheese. Find the full recipe here. Make sure to comment and let me know what you think!

Xo Sage