Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables helps to satisfy certain needs of the human body. A seasonal diet is in not phony in any way. Following this also makes it possible to fight against the use of toxic pesticides in our local agriculture, which remain a disaster for biodiversity. Why? Because seeds and seedlings have their own phenology (seasonal development phases). They have growth periods that are specifically associated with different seasons. And we, little human beings that we are, destabilize and modify these life cycles, to try to make them bend to our needs! Yes, we want "everything" right away, without worrying about the impact and the knock-on effects that we cause. The use of pesticides is then needed, in order to counteract the damage of certain insects attacking these defenseless crops. No adaptation to these “new” parasites was necessary for these plants, until they started being grown during unfavorable and out of season periods!
Foodstuffs produced out of season also need special conditions to undertake their growth, thus increasing the energy cost of the production, such as heating, artificial lighting and extra watering. Let us remember that we need to consume energy sparingly due to the non-renewable and unsustainable characteristics of most kinds of energy. So, doesn't it make more sense to simply go without tomatoes in the winter?
In winter, the cold rules, the sun is dormant, and our bodies are hungry for nutrients and vitamin C. This is why it is a season with many vegetables which are rich in minerals (leeks, cabbages) and fruits full of vitamin C (tangerines, clementines). Yes, nature furnishes what we need at any time.
Winter
The fiesta of hearty meals is finally here and most of us can go for local products. Remember it is much more environmentally friendly and healthy to eat foods that do not come from some distant land where they ripen during transport and the carbon footprints to get the goods to your local store can be like Godzilla’s feet!
For winter check out;
- Leeks
- Broccoli
- Cabbages
- Kale
- Brussels Sprouts
- Parsnips
- Tangerines and clementines
Spring
Just when we were getting sick of stews, the crops of spring vegetables come bursting forth to give us new recipes and a taste of spring, cram packed with vitamins and minerals.
- Spring cabbage
- Spring cauliflowers
- Chard
- Artichokes
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
Summer
Summer fruits and vegetables are full of water, isn’t that funny, as we need to hydrate? (zucchini, cucumbers, plums, watermelons)!
- Zucchini
- Tomato
- Aubergine
- Cucumbers
- Watermelons
- Peas
- Beans
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Plums
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Figs
Autumn
And here comes a new lot of variety to take us into the autumn and make us think of warming dishes as the nights begin to draw in.., and we think of Halloween!
- Celery
- Onions
- Apples
- Grapes
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Carrots
- Potato
- Celeriac
Eating seasonally is good for you and for the planet, so be a trendsetter, show others how it’s done!
