Every season, I vow to eat more locally
in-season produce, but am overwhelmed by the choices as well as unsure how to
consume many of these delectable offerings outside of the ‘usual’ ways (i.e.
stir-fries, scrambled eggs, chili, etc.).
It is also seriously frustrating when I receive magazines with recipes boasting
‘local fresh in-season produce’ from areas such as California or Florida. I am so happy for people living there who are
able to take advantage of a year-round growing season, but how are those of us
to the north supposed to handle the ideals of seasonal eating?
What Is In-Season?
To get you started, here is a list of some
produce considered in-season for fall – that timeframe seems to always indicate
the months of September through to the middle of November.
September:
Apples, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots,
Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Green Beans, Lettuce, Onions, Pears,
Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Raspberries, Rutabagas, Strawberries, Tomatoes,
Turnips, Winter Squash, Zucchini
October:
Apples, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Greens,
Pears, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Rutabagas, Turnips, Winter Squash, Sweet Potatoes,
Yams
November:
Beets, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Turnips, Winter Squash,
Greenhouse Herbs, Greenhouse Tomatoes, Greenhouse Cucumbers
Where to Find Local Produce in Alberta?
As you probably noticed, the list becomes
much shorter as the cooler months set in, making it very difficult to sustain a
local food and in-season produce lifestyle here in Calgary. Luckily, there is more of a movement by
Calgarians and other Southern Albertans to maintain their local, in-season
eating habits throughout the winter. Local
gardeners can preserve many of the summer fruits and vegetables, as well,
maintaining a well-balanced diet through consumption of local, healthy,
nutrient-rich foods during cooler months.
Finding local produce is becoming simpler
though. Companies like Spud.ca make it
easy for people to take note of where foods are produced to reduce their carbon
footprint. Local restaurants serving
the local food movement have also found ways to incorporate in-season foods
into their menus. As the months become
colder, Albertans may need to expand their purchases beyond the province and
opt for produce grown in British Columbia, where climates allow for a longer
growing season and more variety.
Yet, we can still find many in-province
farmers to purchase from during the fall and winter. Broxburn Vegetables and Café is a local farm
that grows produce year round and bring their bounty to the Kingsland Farmer’s
Market each week. Innisfail also boasts
a number of produce farms that collaborate to sell their fresh foods at the
Calgary Farmer’s Market, as well as at other local establishment. Local restaurants such as Rouge, River Café,
and The Coup have relationships with many Alberta and BC farmers to obtain
fresh ingredients with maximum nutrition.
A thorough list of produce suppliers in this province can be found a
Slow Food Calgary.
Incorporate Variety into Your Dishes
Fall and winter produce does not have to be
boring. As an avid follower of the
clean eating philosophy, I get great pleasure each month with my Clean Eating
magazine shows up. With the
understanding that eating locally is one of the best ways you can ensure your
produce is ‘clean’, the editors and recipe artists thrive on finding delicious
flavor combinations that work with the produce most in season. They also have a number of Canadian
contributors on staff, which seems to allow for a more North American viewpoint
(as opposed to a southern United States, or New York City one).
A delectable butternut squash recipe that
will definitely please the people you serve is their Butternut SquashEnchiladas.
French Fries are always a favorite, and can
become a go-to comfort food for cooler months.
Try a healthier alternative with Spicy Turnip Fries.
Why not add pumpkin to your usual hummus
recipe? Hummus is a great snack because
the chickpeas contain protein to keep you feeling fuller longer. Paired with fresh vegetables, hummus is the
ideal afternoon snack. To spice things
up, try a Pumpkin Hummus recipe.
For a yummy carrot recipe your family is
sure to love, roast carrots over the BBQ or in the oven, then coat with a
mixture of chopped dill, olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and pepper.
With a little creativity and some extra
effort in searching out these wonderful local farmers, you can sustain the
wonderful, local food lifestyle here in Calgary all year round. Meal planning in advance is one of the best
ideas I have ever tried to ensure that I give myself enough time to locate the
correct foods I need for the recipes I am interested in testing. Good luck!
