seasonal eating – summer/winter

Three cheers for summer! Its presence certainly hasn’t made itself known en force here in Melbourne, but there’s optimism in the air, the days are much longer and the hope of hot, lazy days lingers invitingly in the air. With much excitement, summer heralds the return of stone fruit, melon, berries and an array of much missed vegetables – I bought my first lot of organic cherries* and peaches this weekend and have been in bliss with each bite!

There is not only abundance in the air but abundance for our table and it’s a wonderful time of year to add variety and colour into your diet. Crisp vegetables – steaming and stir-frying which leaves vegetables with plenty of bite – fresh salads, lighter foods and less of them are the go for summer. It’s also good to remember that with hotter days, minerals and oils are sweated out of the body so it’s important to replace them through a varied diet and plenty of water.

In the Northern Hemisphere, winter has already knocked on many doors with its chilly air, shorter days and patter of rain. It’s time to slow down up there and eat richer, denser, warmer foods which help keep us warm against colder temperatures. Roasting root vegetables, nourishing stews, heavier wholegrains (like barley) and hearty soups should all feature for a nourishing and healthy winter.

Enjoy the changes in the air and the foods at your table!

why eat seasonally?

Foods in season are not only packed full of nutrients but they suit what our bodies need during the coming time of year. They’re also cheaper and it’s a wonderful way to support local growers who work hard to bring quality food to our tables. While supplementing dishes with other foods out of season is fine, remember that non-seasonal vegetables and fruits that you see at this time of year will be either flown in from interstate/overseas or grown in a green house – not really great for the environment, and will have lost much of their nutritional value due to their age and when they were picked.

*Berries, grapes and stone fruits are usually heavily sprayed with pesticides and retain these toxins. If possible, make sure these fruits are organic or spray free. You should find them quite readily at farmers’ markets or through an organic retailer. For more about pesticides in foods and which foods to buy organic, go to the Environmental Working Group’s website and shopping guide

summer fruits and vegetables

winter fruits and vegetables