Prudent Pantry: Fall Vegetables

These days you can get pretty much any fruit or vegetable you want, any time you want it, at the supermarket – but most likely it had to travel a long way to get there.

English: veggies — Vegetables at the store.

This may be convenient, but that out of season produce costs more. The best way to make sure you are getting the best prices, and the freshest produce, is to check out your local farmers’ markets. Being aware of what fruits and vegetables are in season you will know what to buy and when to buy it. Of course it will depend on your geography for example in February California doesn’t much resemble Vermont!

vegetables, farm market — I love the local farm markets!

Here is a list of fall vegetables I look for in my local farmers’ market:

ο Apples
ο Broccoli

ο Brussels Sprouts
ο Cauliflower
ο Kale

ο Pears
ο Pumpkins
ο Winter Squash
ο Yams

By purchasing fruits and vegetables in season I can know that these items are local and the freshest available.

One of my favorite books that encourage you to eat in season is called, Simply in Season by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert. This book has many recipes that celebrate fresh local foods and encourages you to eat in season! What are your favorite fall vegetables?