Brussels sprouts come by their distinctive cabbage flavor the honest way. They are a close, albeit lesser-known, relative of the cruciferous vegetable family. Even better, they are absolutely delicious and easy to prepare. Common in very early spring and late into the fall, they are sweeter once they have been “frost kissed”. Brussels sprouts create … Read more
Sweet potato are often considered a second-cousin in the tuber family. However, their fantastic nutrition and great taste should elevate their status to the top of the pack. Related to the morning glory, sweet potatoes are grown across the globe and are a starchy root vegetable. Although commonly thought of in its orange form, they … Read more
It’s melon season in the Midwest! While staring at a huge pile of watermelons, is there a way to tell which ones are sweetest and ripened to perfection, and which ones may leave you feeling disappointed? Yes, there is! In fact, there are a number of signs you can look for to spot the perfect … Read more
Buying produce in-season, not only insures that you are eating fruits and vegetables that are at the peak of ripened perfection, you also save money. Peaches, for example, are at their lowest price in mid-summer. During the winter, you’ll pay a premium. Add to this the fact that the flavor, texture, and taste of produce … Read more
When the thermometer soars, the kitchen is the last place that any of us wants to spend time. Turning on the oven can overheat your kitchen and raise your utility bills. Planning your menu around fresh fruits and vegetables can lower your grocery bills, aid in weight loss, and increase your body’s ability to fight … Read more
Zoodles are the newest craze, piggybacking on the current nutritional choices of people around the world. Simply put, zoodles are long, thin strands of zucchini. They are fresh, low-carb, colorful, and incredibly inexpensive. If your goal is to get kids to eat more veggies, then zoodles are a great way to get the job done. … Read more
The growing season is exciting for our family. Every Saturday morning we head to the farmers market and pick up a bushel basket of fresh (and I do mean fresh) produce. The great thing is, we already paid for this amazing bounty back in January! For twenty-five weeks, from mid-May to late-October, we feast on … Read more
When I was a child the summer song was, “Knee high by the Fourth of July.” However, newer hybrids have made it possible for us to enjoy our favorite summertime treat much earlier, and for much longer, than we did in the 1970’s. It’s always a happy time when it is sweet corn season. Despite … Read more
It’s squash season! That means an abundance of zucchini, yellow squash, patty pan, as well as other delicious varieties. Regardless of how many varieties you enjoy, it can be challenging to figure out what in the world to do with all this goodness. Here are some of our favorite recipes, along with ideas for increasing … Read more
One of the challenges with eating seasonally is that when food ripens, an overload sometimes occurs. Consider the amount of zucchini you are offered between June and August. There are boxes at church, piles at work, neighbors leaving them on your doorstep – and if you have a garden full of them, well, God bless … Read more
