When these plants are at their healthiest and tastiest, enjoy them!
Eating seasonally is one of many healthy eating habits that is good for the environment and your body. But what exactly does “eating seasonally” entail? In other words, depending on where they are cultivated, fruits and vegetables can grow in a variety of climates and throughout a variety of growing seasons. Produce that is in season is therefore at its healthiest and tastiest.
As spring temperatures increase and the ground starts to thaw, a few tiny plants start to pop through the earth to start another growing season. Thus, spring is a great time of year to appreciate what nature has to offer. Also, it is typically easy to find in-season commodities nearby, which might eliminate the need for food shipment across borders or internationally. Foods that are in season and that are cultivated locally are more likely to be on sale at your grocery store because they are easier to come by.
Let’s look at some affordable foods to look out for this spring and some delectable recipes to use them in now that we are aware of the benefits of eating seasonally.
onions
I really feel that onions are the finest vegetable to buy if you’re on a low budget. They contain great nutrition and can be quite delicious. One of these I use it almost every day. According to the USDA, a half-cup of finely chopped raw onions includes around 32 calories, 1 gram of protein, and 7 grams of carbs. Moreover, onions include vitamins and minerals that can help you meet your needs, including potassium, vitamin C, and folate. Moreover, onions have antibacterial properties that boost your immune system and lessen seasonal allergy symptoms. One of my favorite ways to prepare onions is to caramelize them if I have the time. Whether they are grilled, roasted, sautéed, or even eaten raw, they make a terrific garnish.
Peas are incredibly nutrient-dense and reasonably priced, whether they are consumed fresh, frozen, or canned. They’re a great way to add some green to casseroles, pasta dishes, soups, and salads. Better yet, they can be combined with other ingredients to create a sauce or side dish, like in our recipe for Old Bay Salmon with Lemony Mashed Peas. Frozen peas, on the other hand, are something I always keep in my freezer and cost roughly $2.69 for a 10-ounce package. Yet, I especially like it when I can purchase fresh peas at a market or grocery shop.
Greens
There are several reasons why greens are great. They are one of the foods with the highest nutrient density on the planet, so every bite is stuffed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These are also among the crops that grow the fastest, in my experience. Greens are a fantastic substitute for the spring and early summer because it only takes four to six weeks from seed to harvest and because they thrive in lower temperatures. To change up your routine, pick a new variety of greens because they are available in a variety of hues, textures, and flavors. Meals like this Lemony Lentil Soup with Collards and Massaged Mustard Greens Salad might simply make them a regular of your supper routine. Fresh greens are great, but frozen greens are just as nutritious and last longer if you’re concerned about them going bad in the fridge.
Potatoes
Although being a year-round vegetable that keeps well in the refrigerator, carrots are at their most flavorful in the spring. Carrots are rich in calcium and vitamins A and C, which improve the immune system’s performance, heart health, and the decrease of chronic inflammation. Keep an eye out for purple or rainbow carrots in addition to the more common orange variety for an explosion of color, delicious flavor, and nutrition. They are particularly well-represented in this dish for Roasted Purple Carrots with Black Sesame Dukkah.
Asparagus
Asparagus is another typical springtime vegetable. the and the an an an an an an an an an a. Aside from that, asparagus is a great source of nutrients including fiber, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin K that help digestion and blood flow as well as a strong immune system. Try our Scallops & Spring Vegetables with Olive-Caper Pan Sauce or our Asparagus & Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes to enjoy this perfect springtime side dish in a novel way.
Strawberry
The fruit that conjures images of spring for me the most is a fresh, in-season strawberry. Strawberry is one of those fruits that has a noticeable flavor change between in-season and out-of-season varieties. Yet, buying fresh fruit at your local farmers’ market or food cooperative can quickly get pricey. To enjoy the flavors while saving a little money, think about picking your own and freezing what you won’t use right away. Even better, you may do this with loved ones or close friends. It can assist you in retaining your favorite flavors for several months.
Pineapple
The peak season for this well-known tropical fruit starts in March, which may surprise you. If you purchase the pineapple during its peak season, it will likely be more flavorful and more likely to be on sale. But, a lot of us don’t reside in areas where it’s easy to obtain local, fresh pineapple at farmers’ markets. Since frozen pineapple is continuously gathered at its ripest stage and rapidly frozen to keep both its nutritional content and flavor, it is an excellent substitute. Frozen pineapple may easily replace fresh pineapple in almost any smoothie, baked good, or prepared dish.
Every week, I usually always purchase a few pieces of fresh citrus. It seems like one of the most straightforward methods for enhancing any meal, including entrees, sides, and even beverages. It is fortunate for all of us that lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits are at their peak in the spring.
the conclusion
These fruits and vegetables are evidence that eating seasonally doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many ways to enjoy springtime fare, from squeezing some lemon into a bowl of soup to tossing in some greens for flavor and nutrition. Also, eating and cooking seasonally can help you save money and resources, especially if you opt for locally-produced foods. For the healthiest and most cheap meals, you might also think about growing your own vegetables if you’re feeling really ambitious (it might even boost your mental well-being!).