Autumn is a great time to pick up local produce that’s cheap and delicious. We’re lucky – here in BC, we have a wide range of growing conditions, resulting in tasty crops being produced at different times of the year. Check out your local farmers market to see what’s available! Cooking is a great activity for seniors and family caregivers to do together. Go to the market with your loved one and then make something to enjoy the same day!
Why Eat Local Produce in Season?
Not only are foods in season most delicious and nutritious because they are freshly harvested, they are also cheaper and can help support local farmers. Additionally, crops harvested in-season grow with less impact on the local environment than crops produced out-of-season. There are so many reasons to choose in-season local crops!
Here are a list of fruits and veggies that are in season for September/October in BC:
Fruits
Lots of fruit are harvested during the autumn. Try making a pie, jam, or salad with some of the following fruits:
- Apples
- Saskatoon Berries
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Strawberries
- Plums
- Pears
For a tasty apple pie recipe, go to: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/old-fashioned-mixed-apple-pie-355234
Greens and other Lighter Veggies:
These lighter vegetables which are packed full of essential nutrients, especially because they have been freshly harvested. These veggies are great for a nutritious salad, or a baked/steamed side:
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Chard
- Mustard Greens
- Kale
- Leek
- Zucchini
- Tomato
- Turnips
- Shallots
- Onion
- Cucumber
Find many great recipes for these veggies here:
https://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/snacks-and-sides/vegetables
Starches
With autumn here, it’s nice to cook up some of those heartier veggies for the colder weather. Here’s a list of locally available starchy veggies to serve as a delicious roasted side, mash, or soup.
- Carrot
- Potato
- Squash
- Parsnip
- Pumpkin
- Corn
- Radish
- Rutabaga
- Beans
Try this parmesan acorn squash recipe as a side course: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/232280/parmesan-roasted-acorn-squash/?internalSource=hn_carousel%2001_Parmesan%20Roasted%20Acorn%20Squash&referringId=1097&referringContentType=recipe%20hub&referringPosition=carousel%2001
Looking for a place to pick up some of these local crops? Try visiting a farmers market near you. If you’re in the Vancouver area, you can check out: http://eatlocal.org/markets/
Happy Eating!