One of the best ways to enjoy fruits and vegetables is to use them during the time they are bountiful. Seasonal fresh vegetables and fruits are cheaper because of their abundance during their peak. They are more nutritious and delicious as well.
In today’s global economy, you can buy different fruits and vegetables though they are not in season all year round. However, you lose the fresh content because they are usually frozen or canned. Nutritious vegetables and fruits are part of a healthy diet. Knowing when fresh produce like green leafy vegetables, root crops, fresh peaches, fresh strawberries and others are harvested allows you to experiment on different seasonal recipes. If you really can’t use, say fresh peas or fresh apples or other vegetables and fruits, you can put them in storage by making applesauce or preserves. Freezing vegetables is another option. If you plant seasonal vegetables, better to freeze them before the rabbits have their fill.
Below are the different fresh vegetables as well as fruits by season. Depending on where you live, the available produce may be different in a particular season.
Summer. Tomatoes remain the most popular of the summer vegetables. There are many varieties to choose from, heirloom, cherry, grape, beefsteak tomatoes and more. Corn is also very popular especially during outdoor barbecues. The other popular summer vegetables are:
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Green Beans
- Peppers
- Zucchini
During summer, you can find an abundance of artichokes, kale, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, collards, cabbage, celery, eggplant, garlic, onions, okra, peas, potatoes, radishes, summer squash, and turnips. Summertime is berry time: cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and more. Other fruits in season are apples, apricots, watermelons, and peaches.
Fall. The fall is ushered in by Halloween celebrations. Pumpkins and gourds are popular not just as decorations but also as tummy fillers. Other popular autumn produce are:
- Beans and Peas
- Squash
- Beets
- Carrots
- Eggplant
- Sweet Potatoes
Fall gardens produce broccoli, beets, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, garlic, fennel, kale, onions, leeks, potatoes, peppers, mushrooms, shallots, corn, turnips, zucchini, cranberries, apples, plums, melons, and pears.
Winter. It’s all about the root vegetables during this season. Potatoes and other root crops are popular. Other winter produce are:
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Winter Squash
- Spinach
Many other vegetables and fruits are available during winter. These are cabbage, celery, celeriac, onions, leeks, garlic, Brussels sprouts, fennel, pumpkins, chicory, radishes, greens, wild mushrooms, turnips, winter squash, apples, pears, and avocados.
Spring. When you think spring, think green. Green leafy vegetables are popular during the spring months.
- Lettuces
- Swiss chard
- Spinach
- Fresh herbs
Other springtime produce are asparagus, celery, spring onions, basil beans, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, okra, radish head, beets, sweet peppers, turnips, peas, rhubarb, strawberries, mangoes, oranges, and papayas.
If you live in a different part of the globe, check online for seasonal produce in your area. Plan your produce shopping based on what’s fresh and available. To make your meals and snacks healthier, incorporate organic vegetables and fruits. Go to your local farmers market where you can get the freshest produce. These unprocessed vegetables and fruits are at the peak of their goodness. Imagine: from the farms straight to your dining table!
Introduce your family to what’s available every season. Don’t be afraid to experiment on fresh vegetables and fruits, whether popular or not. Who knows, you and your family might just become instant fans. Happy eating!
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