The eat local, eat seasonal, message is being directed at us from every medium. It makes sense financially, environmentally, and for our health. Unless you are a keen gardener or growing vegetables commercially it's not always immediately apparent what is in season. Preservation methods and transport mean many fruit and vegetables are available year round in shops.
My parents and grandparents both grew vegetables commercially and at home. I grew up knowing that cabbage is harvested (by hand) in inclement weather and that onions are harvested just after back to school time in September. Onions store well, but by mid to late summer last years one's are no longer of such good qaulity and that's why New Zealand onions creep into stores at that time of year. The journey to see our aunt in Wexford in June was punctuated by new potato and strawberry sellers on the roadside, these are the sort of seasonal landmarks in my year that prompt my cravings.
If you keep an eye on prices it'll be fairly obvious, a strawberry in November is much more expensive than in June. The country of origin is another clue: when Irish strawberries are in the shops in great quantities that's when they are at their best. Of course citrus fruits are at their best from now until late spring but you won't find too many of them from Irish farms! Right now the little ones, clementines, satsumas, and mandarin oranges are tasty and easy to peel and coming up to Christmas regular oranges come into their own. Marmalade oranges are in the shops for a short time in the New Year.
I was delighted to find the best in season website from Board Bia and even more pleased with the chart listing what is in season and when. It's up in the kitchen now and serves as inspiration when I am menu planning. The chart lists fruit, veg and herbs.
Vegetables in season in Ireland in November are: Beetroot, Brocolli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrotts, Celeriac, Celery, Kale, Leeks, Round Lettuce, Mushrooms, Onions, Pak Choi, Parsnips, Main Crop Potatoes, and Swedes. Plenty of choice: in season and grown here in Ireland.
This link will take you to a chart of what you shouldn't eat at all!
Inspired by wise child...
http://www.toysonline.ie/toyblog/2009/06/what-lies-above-the-food-pyramid/
Posted by: Cleansheets | 11/20/2009 at 09:58 AM