Q: Is there a list of seasonal fruits and vegetables you use to help plan your menus? LKJ, Jackson, MS
A: Yep! There is a list, but the one sure fire way to know beyond a doubt what fruits and veggies are in season is to check their prices. It's helpful to know what you can count on (and when). You can use the handy list below for menu planning. This doesn't mean that there won't be a drought or a flood and the prices of some fruits and veggies won't skyrocket, but for the most part, this list will help you stay in the know about what's in season when. Remember, what's in season varies by state and region. You can get a really good idea of what's happening where you live by visiting the folks over at Sustainable Table.
It's smart to stock up by freezing and/or canning fruits and veggies when they are in season. I rarely buy fresh strawberries in the winter when they are at their most expensive, because I have a freezer full of them from the Spring. We eat the mess out of fresh veggies and fruits in my house, but we save money by eating what is in season and therefore, at its lowest price. During the spring and summer, eating seasonally becomes easy, peasy when there is an abundance of foods growing.
Peace, B.
PS
If you're shopping the farmer's market, shop right before close of day for the best prices. Vendors will want to get rid of excess and make a deal rather than lose money. It's been my experience that most vendors will negotiate any time of day.
If you're shopping the grocery store, early morning and late evening are your best times for scoring marked down fruits and veggies.
A: Yep! There is a list, but the one sure fire way to know beyond a doubt what fruits and veggies are in season is to check their prices. It's helpful to know what you can count on (and when). You can use the handy list below for menu planning. This doesn't mean that there won't be a drought or a flood and the prices of some fruits and veggies won't skyrocket, but for the most part, this list will help you stay in the know about what's in season when. Remember, what's in season varies by state and region. You can get a really good idea of what's happening where you live by visiting the folks over at Sustainable Table.
It's smart to stock up by freezing and/or canning fruits and veggies when they are in season. I rarely buy fresh strawberries in the winter when they are at their most expensive, because I have a freezer full of them from the Spring. We eat the mess out of fresh veggies and fruits in my house, but we save money by eating what is in season and therefore, at its lowest price. During the spring and summer, eating seasonally becomes easy, peasy when there is an abundance of foods growing.
Peace, B.
PS
If you're shopping the farmer's market, shop right before close of day for the best prices. Vendors will want to get rid of excess and make a deal rather than lose money. It's been my experience that most vendors will negotiate any time of day.
If you're shopping the grocery store, early morning and late evening are your best times for scoring marked down fruits and veggies.
January:
cranberries, grapefruit, oranges, tangerines
cabbage, cauliflower, rhubarb
February:
grapefruit, oranges
cauliflower, rhubarb
March:
grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, strawberries
broccoli, rhubarb
April:
grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, strawberries
artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, green onions, lettuce, peas, rhubarb, spinach
May:
blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, grapefruit, honeydew melon, oranges, peaches, pineapple, strawberries
artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, corn, green onions, lettuce, peas, radishes, rhubarb, spinach
June:
apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, honeydew melon, limes, nectarines, oranges, pineapple, plums, strawberries, watermelon
corn, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes
July:
apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, honeydew melon, lime, nectarines, peaches, plums, strawberries, watermelon
corn, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes
August:
blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, honeydew melon, limes, nectarines, peaches, Bartlett pears, plums, raspberries, watermelon
corn, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes
September:
apples, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, honeydew melon, nectarines, peaches, Bartlett pears, plums
cauliflower, corn, eggplants, peppers, spinach, tomatoes
October:
apples, craberries, brapefruit, oranges, peaches, Bartlett pears
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, tomatoes
November:
apples, cranberries, grapefruit, honeydew melon, oranges, Bartlett pears
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, caulifllower, mushrooms, spinach
December:
apples, cranberries, grapefruit, oranges, tangerines
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mushrooms
cranberries, grapefruit, oranges, tangerines
cabbage, cauliflower, rhubarb
February:
grapefruit, oranges
cauliflower, rhubarb
March:
grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, strawberries
broccoli, rhubarb
April:
grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, strawberries
artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, green onions, lettuce, peas, rhubarb, spinach
May:
blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, grapefruit, honeydew melon, oranges, peaches, pineapple, strawberries
artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, corn, green onions, lettuce, peas, radishes, rhubarb, spinach
June:
apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, honeydew melon, limes, nectarines, oranges, pineapple, plums, strawberries, watermelon
corn, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes
July:
apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, honeydew melon, lime, nectarines, peaches, plums, strawberries, watermelon
corn, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes
August:
blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, honeydew melon, limes, nectarines, peaches, Bartlett pears, plums, raspberries, watermelon
corn, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes
September:
apples, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, honeydew melon, nectarines, peaches, Bartlett pears, plums
cauliflower, corn, eggplants, peppers, spinach, tomatoes
October:
apples, craberries, brapefruit, oranges, peaches, Bartlett pears
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, tomatoes
November:
apples, cranberries, grapefruit, honeydew melon, oranges, Bartlett pears
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, caulifllower, mushrooms, spinach
December:
apples, cranberries, grapefruit, oranges, tangerines
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mushrooms
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