During the spring and summer seasons, eating delicious fruit and vegetables with each daily meal is an easy task since every plant seems to be sprouting and blooming. Then, when Autumn arrives, yet another overwhelming choice arises as a second helping comes into season.
Then winter comes along, and where did all the harvest disappear to? The plants and trees become lifeless and lose their foliage, as the brisk and chilly atmosphere sets in. The question is, are there any fruits or vegetables available at this time of year, and once we find them, what's the best way to prepare them?
Tangerines, clementines, tangerines, oranges, grapes, pomegranate, bananas, pears, kiwi, and passion fruit are still available if you know where to look, and the same can be said for wintertime vegetables, like snow peas, celery, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes and turnips.
Finding fresh fruits and vegetables in the winter can take some searching. Your local grocery store may have an abundant supply, but only of some of these foods. You can check out in-door farmers markets or specialty food/whole food stores. Depending on your region, you may be able to grow your own winter garden (indoors or outdoors) and harvest some of these delicious foods yourself. Theres lots of information on growing your own indoor/outdoor winter garden found on the Internet or in gardening books at the public library or bookstore.
Ideas for cooking with winter vegetables: Soups and salads are great comfort foods in the wintertime. Letting a pot full of winter veggies simmer throughout the afternoon fills your home with a yummy aroma, helping you welcome the cold air outside. Use some avocadoes to make homemade guacamole. Cabbage leaves can be used as a shell for wraps, stuffed with hot filling. Sweet potatoes can be topped with a mixture of pecans and brown sugar for a sweet treat.
Ideas for cooking with winter fruits: Since plenty of lettuce is available during the winter, dont be afraid to add orange fruits and grapes to your salads to give it a sweet kick. Or, you can omit vegetables from your salad entirely and stick to a winter fruit salad. Fresh cranberry sauce is delicious on white meat (add some orange zest and a little freshly squeezed orange juice to it for a different taste). Pears are a great fruit to serve warm or cold with a cinnamon streusel for dessert. Mix cut passion fruit with kiwi and serve it over vanilla ice cream for another dessert.
Fresh fruit and veg is still available in the cold months, wherever you reside. Do a little gardening, or remember to scour the stores, so you and your family enjoy a healthy diet during the winter season.