What's In Season - December

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Happy Holidays!! Wherever you are located - try to find something fresh and locally grown to add to your holiday food menu and don't forget to support your local businesses when buying gifts this year!!

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Some Good Info:

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Food grown in your own community was probably picked within the past day or two. It's crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor. Several studies have shown that the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1,500 miles. In a week-long (or more) delay from harvest to dinner table, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink, and produce loses its vitality.

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Northern California

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Vegetables

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•artichokes

•asian greens

•avocados
•beans

•beets

•bok choy

•broccoli

•brussels sprouts

•burdock

•cabbage

•cardoons

•carrots

•cauliflower

•celeriac

•celery

•chard

•collards

•cress
•endive

•fennel

•garlic

•kale

•kohlrabi

•leeks

•lettuces

•mushrooms

•onions

•parsnips

•peppers, bell

•peppers, chili

•potatoes

•radicchio

•radish

•rapini

•rutabaga

•salsify

•scallions

•spinach

•squash, winter

•sunchokes

•sweet potatoes

•turnips

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Fruits and Nuts
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•avocados

•chestnuts

•dates

•dried fruit

•grapefruit

•grapes

•guavas

•kiwi

•kumquats

•lemons

•limes

•mandarins

•oranges

•pears

•persimmons

•pomegranates

•pomelos

•tangerines

•walnuts

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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

What's In Season, Northern California ~ November

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November - Check out your local farmers market or any grocery store that supports local farming -- who knows what interesting/delicious things you might find.

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The following is a rough list of what I might find here in California. Eating seasonally means enjoying the ripest and freshest food at the height of its natural harvest time. It means supporting local farmers who transport their goods the shortest distance to your plate. It also means experimenting with interesting foods you might not otherwise consider adding to a meal!   

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Fruit

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•apples

•carambola

•cherimoyas

•citrus:

grapefruits

lemons
tangelos/tangerines
valencia oranges

•figs

•grapes

•guava

•pineapple

•kiwi

•green passion fruit

•peaches

•persimmons

•pomegranates

•quinces

•raspberries

•rosehips

•sapote

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Vegetables

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•artichokes

•asparagus

•basil

•beans, green

•beets

•broccoli

•brussels sprout

•cabbage

•carrots

•cauliflower

•celery

•chard

•chili pepper

•collards

•corn

•cucumber

•eggplant

•greens:

chicory

chard

kale

spinach

arugula

fava

•kohlrabi

•lettuce

•mushrooms

•mustard

•okra

•onion

•peas, black-eyed

•peppers

•potatoes

•squash, summer squash

•winter tomatillos

•tomatoes

•turnips

•yams

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What's In Season - October

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October ~ Northern California
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Fruit

•apples

•avocados

•citrus: grapefruits, lemons, tangelos, tangerines, valencia oranges
•grapes

•guava

•pineapple

•kiwi

•green passion fruit

•peaches

•pears, asian

•peas, black-eyed

•peppers

•persimmons

•pomegranates

•raspberries

•sapote

•strawberries
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Vegetables
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•asparagus

•basil

•beans, green

•beets

•broccoli

•brussels sprout

•cabbage

•carrots

•cauliflower

•celery

•chard

•cherimoyas

•chili pepper

•collards

•corn

•cucumber

•eggplant

•kale

•kohlrabi

•lettuce

•mushroom

•mustard

•okra

•onion, dry onion

•potatoes

•spinach

•squash, summer

•squash,winter

•tomatillos

•tomatoes

•turnips

•yams

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Why buy local? LOCALLY GROWN FOOD TASTES BETTER!!

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Food grown in your own community was probably picked within the past day or two. It's crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor. Several studies have shown that the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1,500 miles. In a week-long (or more) delay from harvest to dinner table, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink, and produce loses its vitality.

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What's In Season - September & Northward Bound

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Northern California (soon to be beautiful Seattle, Washington)

Packing and getting things ready for our move to Seattle. Exhausted but happy!! With autumn (my favorite season) just around the corner I am enjoying all the wonderful bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are available. I hope all my favorite bloggy friends are well and happy!! 
P.S. More about the move soon. 

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Fruit and Nuts

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•almonds

•apples

•asian pears

•avocado

•blackberries

•dates

•figs

•grapefruit

•grapes

•guava

•jujubes

•lemons

•melons

•nectarines

•oranges

•peaches

•pears

•persimmons

•pistachios

•plums

•pluots

•pomegranates

•quince

•raspberries

•rhubarb

•strawberries

•tomatillos

•tomatoes
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Vegetables

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•artichoke

•arugula

•asian beans

•avocado

•basil

•beans

•beets

•boy choy

•broccoli

•brussels sprouts

•burdock

•cabbage

•cactus pads

•cardoons

•carrots

•cauliflower

•celery

•chard

•collards

•corn

•cress cucumbers

•eggplant

•fennel

•garlic

•horseradish

•kale

•leeks

•lettuce

•mushrooms

•mustard

•okra

•olives

•onions

•peas

•peppers

•potatoes

•purslane

•radicchio

•radish

•rapini

•rhubarb

•rutabaga

•salsify

•scallions

•shallots

•spinach

•squash, summer

•sunchokes

•sweet Potatoes

•tomatillos

•tomatoes

•turnips
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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

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What's In Season - August

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August (Northern California)

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Local seasonal foods are tastier, fresher and more nutritious. Why? It’s because the produce has been harvested in the last few days and has only traveled a short distance to market. This means less packaging, processing and refrigeration. All good for the environment and your health.

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Vegetables

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•arugula
•basil
•beans
•beets
•corn
•cucumbers

•eggplant
•fennel
•okra
•peppers

•sorrel
•summer squash
•tomatoes

•carrots

•potatoes

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Fruits

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•dates
•figs
•grapes
•mangoes
•melons
•nectarines
•apples
•apricots
•blueberries
•peaches
•plums
•raspberries
•watermelon

•Valencia oranges

•avocados

•boysenberries

•blackberries

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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

What's In Season - July {Northern California}

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July - Northern California
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P.S. Check out Epicurious' Peak Season Map to find out "what's in season" in your area!

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Vegetables
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• basil

• beans, green

• corn

• cucumber

• garlic

• eggplant

• okra

• greens: kale

• lettuces

• onions, red

• onions, sweet

• peppers, sweet/bell

• potatoes

• squash, summer

• tomatoes

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Fruits

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• berries

• currants

• gooseberries

• cherries

• figs

• grapes

• limes

• melons

• nectarines

• oranges

• peaches

• pears

• pineapple

• plums

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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

What's In Season ~ Northern California in June + Lovely Cherries

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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

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Cherry History

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The cherry is one of the world's oldest cultivated fruits, along with its cousin, the apricot. Cultivation dates back to 300 B.C. and its lineage dates back even farther. The common cherry tree, Prunus avium, is native to the temperate areas of eastern Europe and western Asia and is part of the Rose family. Its name comes originally from the Greek, and in Latin means of or for the birds, due to the birds' obvious love of the fruit. The English word cherry originates from the Assyrian karsu and Greek kerasos. The tree was beloved by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans both for its beautiful flowers and its versatile fruit. Although a different species of cherry was already strongly established in America by the time the first colonists arrived, the new settlers brought along their favorite European variety and eventually cross-bred the two. Today, 90 percent of the commercial cherry crop is grown in the U.S., mostly in Michigan, California, Oregon and Washington. The most popular variety is the Bing cherry, which was developed by Seth Luelling od Milwaukie, Oregon in 1875. It was allegedly named for his Manchurian foreman. There are now thousands of varieties of cherries and most are still picked by hand.
(Info Courtesy of About.com)

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Vegetables

•artichokes

•arugula

•asian greens

•asparagus

•avocados

•basil
•beans

•beets

•bok choy

•broccoli

•cabbage

•cactus Pads

•cardoons

•carrots

•cauliflower

•celery

•chard

•collards

•corn

•cress

•cucumbers

•endive

•fava beans

•fennel

•garlic

•green garlic

•herbs

•horseradish

•kale

•kohlrabi

•leeks

•lettuces

•mushrooms

•nettles

•mustard

•olives

•peas

•purslane

•radicchio

•radish

•rapini

•rhubarb

•scallions

•shallots

•spinach

squash, summer

•tomatillos

•tomatoes
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Fruit and Nuts
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•apricots

•apriums

•avocados

•blackberries

•blueberries

•boysenberries

•cactus Pears

•cherries

•dried fruit

•figs

•lemons

•loquats

•melons

•nectarines

•oranges

•peaches

•plums

•pluots

•raspberries

•rhubarb

•strawberries

•tayberries

•tomatillos

•tomatoes

•walnuts

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P.S. Check out the NRDC and find out what's locally fresh in your area!!!

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What's In Season May + Yummy Blueberries

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Northern California ~

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Interesting Fact: Of the hundreds of crops grown in the United States today, very few commonly eaten fruits are native to our soils.

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Blueberries and Antioxidant Activity

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* Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with aging. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. The Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA) says that, blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity.Yay, blueberries!!

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Vegetables_
•artichokes
•arugula
•asian greens
•asparagus
•avocados

•basil
•beans
•beets
•bok choy
•broccoli

•cactus pads
•cabbage
•cardoons
•carrots
•cauliflower
•celery
•chard

•cucumbers

•dandelion/chicory

•eggplant

•endive
•fava beans
•fennel
•garlic
•herbs
•horseradish

•kale
•kohlrabi
•leeks
•lettuces
•mushrooms

•mustard
•nettles
•onions
•peas

•peppers (bell and chili)

•potatoes
•purslane
•radicchio

•radish
•rapini
•rhubarb

•scallions

•shallots

•spinach

•summer squash

•tomatoes

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Fruits and Nuts
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•avocados
•apricots

•apriums

•blackberries

•blueberries 

•boysenberries

•cactus pears
•cherries

•dried fruit

•lemons
•loquats

•nectarines

•oranges
•persimmons

•peaches

•plums
•pluots

•raspberries

•rhubarb
•strawberries
•tomatoes

•walnuts
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* Above Information Courtesy of Highbush Blueberry Council
__Photos courtesy of Jupiter Images

What's In Season - April Carrots

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Northern California

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Carrots - available in white, purple and gold, in addition to orange. High in beta-carotene, which is converted in the body to Vitamin A.

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Tip - Store carrots away from apples or pears because they release ethylene gas, which can turn carrots bitter.

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Recipe - Yummy Roasted Carrots

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Ingredients

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12 carrots
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill or parsley

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Directions

_Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

_If the carrots are thick, cut them in half lengthwise; if not, leave whole. Slice the carrots diagonally in 1 1/2-inch-thick slices. (The carrots will shrink while cooking so make the slices big.) Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a sheet pan in 1 layer and roast in the oven for 20 minutes, until browned and tender.

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Toss the carrots with minced dill or parsley, season to taste, and serve.

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Vegetables

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• artichokes

• arugula

• asian greens

• asparagus
• avocado
• beans
• beets

• bok choy
• broccoli
• cabbage

• cardoons
• carrots

• cauliflower
• celery
• chard

• collards

• dandelion

• endive

• fava beans
• fennel
• garlic
• herbs

• horseradish
• kale

• kohlrabi
• leeks

• lettuces
• mushrooms

• nettles
• onions
• parsnips
• peas

• peppers

• potatoes

• purslane

• radicchio

• radish

• rapini

• rhubarb

• rutabaga

• scallions
• spinach
• turnips

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Fruits

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• avocados

• apriums

• cherimoyas

• cherries

• dried fruit
• grapefruit

• guavas

• kumquats

• lemons

• limes

• mandarins
• oranges
• rhubarb

• strawberries

• tangerines

• walnuts

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Images Courtesy Of Jupiter Images

What's In Season - March + Kiwi Facts

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Northern California

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Kiwi, what a wonderful fruit!! Much like apples and pears, which are available from cold storage well into spring, kiwis are a nice alternative to imported fruit during the winter months. What we now call kiwi or kiwifruit was long referred to as "Chinese gooseberry" in New Zealand, where the fruit flourished after being brought from China early in the last century. In the 1960s, when the then-exotic fruit was introduced in California, it was dubbed the kiwi after the national bird of New Zealand.

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Is Organic Healthier?

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As the debate rages on about whether organically grown food is better for us than the "conventional" produce we have become used to, a new study sides firmly with organic. Scientists found that some organic food is more healthy after tests on kiwi fruit grown by both methods.The American researchers discovered that organically grown kiwis had significantly higher levels of vitamin C and polyphenols - compounds associated with health benefits including reducing cholesterol, improving circulation and preventing cancer. I'm not surprised - just one more reason to go with organic -- when you can!! xx's 
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Vegetables

_•artichokes
•arugula
•asian greens
•asparagus
•avocados
•beans
•beets
•bok choy
•broccoli
•brussels sprouts

•cabbage
•cardoons
•carrots
•cauliflower
•chard
•collards

•cress
•dandelion/chicory

•endive
•fennel
•garlic
•gourds
•herbs
•horseradish

•kale
•leeks
•lettuces
•mushrooms
•nettles
•onions
•parsnips

•potatoes
•radish
•rapini

•rutabaga

•scallions

•spinach

•sunchokes

•turnips

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Fruits and Nuts

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•avocados

•cherimoyas

•dried fruit

•grapefruit

•guavas
•kiwi
•kumquats
•lemons
•limes

•mandarins

•oranges
•pears
•persimmons

•pomelos

•tangerines

•walnuts

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What's In Season, February (Northern California) ~ Yummy Leeks + Recipe!

Happy Seasonal/Local Shopping and Happy Valentines Day, all you lovelies!!  ♥

Leeks are alliums like onions and garlic. Instead of forming a tight bulb like the onion, the leek produces a long cylinder of bundled leaf sheaths.

The white and light green parts of the leek and most often used, since the dark green part has much less flavor and can be starchy. The tender delicious part of the stalks is for adding flavor to soups or stocks.

*Recipe via -- cannelle et vanille ~ 

I'm sure by now all you bloggers know of her. She is amazing and her beautiful, delicious recipes makes my family jump for joy each and every time I cook something created by her. Oh and did I mention all her recipes are gluten-free. :)

Lemony Fennel, Baby Pink Turnip and Watercress Soup

Serves 3 to 4

2 Tbs olive oil
1 baby leek or 1/2 leek, white part only, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium fennel bulb, diced
3 baby pink or white turnips
1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup packed watercress leaves (tough stems removed)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp lemon zest
Grated pink turnips, garnish
Yogurt, garnish
Amaranth sprouts (or any other green), garnish
Extra virgin olive oil, garnish

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced leek, garlic, and fennel. Add a pinch of salt and cook for 3 minutes or until soft and translucent. Do not brown them.

Add the turnips, potato, and chicken stock. Bring to a light simmer, cover the pot and cook for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add the watercress and cook for 1 more minute.

Season with salt and pepper. Add the lemon zest. Puree the soup in a blender. You can strain it if you like or leave it a bit chunky.

Garnish with grated pink turnips, yogurt, sprouts and olive oil.

Above photo is from cannelle et vanille and is copyrighted to Aran Goyoaga.

Northern California ~

Vegetables

•arugula

•asparagus

•beets
•bok choy
•broccoli
•brussels sprouts
•cabbage
•cardoons
•carrots
•cauliflower
•chard
•chicory
•collards

•dandelion greens

•endive
•fava greens
•fennel
•garlic

•herbs
•horseradish
•kale
•kohlrabi
•lambsquarters
•leeks
•lettuces
•mushrooms
•mustard greens

•nettles
•onions
•parsnips
•pea shoots
•radish
•rutabaga
•scallions
•spinach

•sunchokes
•turnips

Fruits and Nuts

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•avocados

•cheirmoyas
•grapefruit
•guavas
•kumquats
•lemons
•limes
•mandarins
•oranges (various citrus)
•pears
•persimmons
•pomelos

(Blog Photos Courtesy Of Jupiter Images)

Green Drink Mondays ~

Seven years after I first found this recipes and posted it, I am still making this healthful and yummy green drink for my family, most Monday mornings. It definitely stood the test of time and my kids actually love it -- even my picky eater (there is always one in every family). ;)

Happy Monday!!_

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Green Drink

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2 apples, cored

2 big handfuls of spinach

1/2 cup of chopped parsley

1 celery stick, chopped

1 thumbnail length of ginger root,

peeled 1 lemon - juice only (use peel slice for zest)

1 medium cucumber
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Place ingredients in a blender, add 4 oz. spring water or a handful of ice cubes, then puree quickly for one minute. Makes two glasses.
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Of course, you can adjust these ingredients to your own taste. 

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(Courtesy of Hub Pages)

(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

Road Testing a Gluten-Free Pasta Recipe with My Daughter

When I announced to my daughter Faith that I had found a great recipe (via Gluten Free Girl and the Chef) for a gluten-free pasta and I needed to get a few things for it from the store -- she asked if she could make it with me. I then told her that I was making it without a pasta machine or food processor and I saw her eyes light up. You see, my almost 16 year old girl is obsessed with all things culinary. So we wrote up our shopping list and off we went in search of flours we have never even heard of and I reminded her that this was going to be my first time making pasta entirely by hand too.

As far as the recipe goes, even my very picky 13 year old, pasta crazy boy cleaned his plate. We opted for our favorite tomato sauce and goat cheese sprinkled on top. We also made a few raviolis by hand and stuffed them with goat cheese. Making it completely by hand is certainly not easy but we both did pretty well with the dough. It was a lot of work but delicious! Faith approached it as a bit of a competition, that is her nature -- lol. We both made separate batches of dough and honestly, her pasta was better than mine, as she took much more time and effort than I did. We turned the music up, laughed and danced and ate all that lovely pasta!!

Note: I will definitely use the recipe again but will opt for some more modern ways to cut and roll out the dough. ;)

RECIPE:

I won't post the recipe here but I will send you over to where I found it. There is much more helpful info and photos I don't want to deprive you of if you are interested in trying it.

Recipe Website : http://glutenfreegirl.com/2011/07/gluten-free-fresh-pasta/

All Photos Copyrighted to Barefoot In The Orchard

What's In Season Northern California ~ January {new post tomorrow}

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Happy 2014!! New post coming tomorrow ~ Homemade/Gluten Free Pasta I made {for the first time by hand} with my lovely daughter Faith. Hope everyone's year is off to a wonderful start!!.

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Northern California

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Vegetables

•asian greens

•avocados

•beans
•beets
•bok choy
•broccoli
•brussels sprouts
•cabbage
•cardoons
•carrots
•cauliflower
•celeriac
•celery
•chard
•collards
•cress

•dandelion/chicory

•endive
•fennel
•garlic

•gourds
•kale
•leeks
•lettuces
•mushrooms

•nettles
•onions
•parsnips
•potatoes
•radish
•rapini
•rutabaga
•scallions
•spinach
•squash, winter

•sunchokes
•turnips

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Fruits and Nuts

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•avocados
•dates
•dried fruit
•grapefruit
•guavas
•kiwi
•kumquats
•lemons
•limes
•mandarins
•oranges
•pears
•persimmons
•pomelos
•tangerines
•walnuts

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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)