Celebrate Fresh Veggies Day!

There are plenty of ways to appreciate seasonal vegetables and all they have to offer. This term of ‘choosing seasonally’ gets used a lot, but put simply it means focusing on selecting vegetables, that naturally grow at the time of year that you are in. There is a huge range of options out there during this time of year and here at Enrich, we recommend eating in a more seasonal way where possible. Selecting foods, particularly vegetables that naturally grow at the time of year that you are in means you are maximising freshness and taste, and it also is one of the best ways to support the environment and be more sustainable. This article aims to inform you of the benefits of fresh seasonal veg and how you can begin incorporating them into your cooking!

There are a range of benefits to making seasonal vegetables a staple part of your diet:

- Reduces Environmental Impact: When purchasing produce out of season, huge amounts of energy is being used to bring the vegetables to the supermarkets – the carbon emission for food transportation increases and often more packaging is needed. When buying local produce in season, you help in reducing the distance the food must travel, which benefits the environment.

- Better Taste: Local seasonal produce is more likely to be ripened on the farm where it is grown, as opposed to ripening in transit. This means that it gets the maximum amount of time to naturally develop flavour, so it is at its best when you eat it. Research shows that fresh produce can lose nutrients during prolonged storage and transportation periods also. 

- Support Local Communities: Choosing to purchase seasonally/locally contributes to the community’s economy and the money directly supports local farms/businesses. When you buy locally, you’re not just purchasing produce but investing in your community, helping these businesses to expand and grow.

- Save Money: Veg in season is more abundant and can often be sold for cheaper than when they need to be shipped out of season. For example, pumpkins are plentiful and inexpensive during the fall harvest season compared to winter, when they are less available. This also means you are getting the best quality for the price of your produce and reducing your shopping bill!

- Boost Nutrition: While foods in season are certainly at their best taste and looks-wise, seasonal produce is also often harvested at its peak ripeness, meaning it retains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than out-of-season fruits and vegetables. Seasonal eating also encourages you to consume more whole foods rather than processed items that often lack fibre and essential nutrients.

Here are some practical tips for cooking seasonally:

1. Do Your Research: Research about your seasons and figure out what produce is in season where you live.
2. Visit Farmers' Markets: You can also visit local markets yourself to discover fresh produce. It’s also a great way to potentially chat with the producers directly and learn about what you are purchasing.
3. Experiment in the Kitchen: Using seasonal ingredients will give you the opportunity to try new recipes that highlight their natural flavours. Cooking seasonally also gives you the opportunity to try out different cooking methods and expand your culinary skills, e.g., grilling veg on the BBQ in summertime.
4. Plan Your Meals: By creating meal plans that include seasonal ingredients, it helps in adding variety to your diet. Check out our recipes for some inspiration to start cooking more seasonally!
5. Preservation of Produce: Why don’t you consider preserving any excess seasonal produce so you can enjoy them out of season? Canning, freezing, pickling are all great ways that you can seasonally produce of high quality all year round!
6. Grow Your Own: Growing your own vegetables yourself can produce some great results! Even a small garden or a few pots on a balcony!

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Produce for the Seasons:

• Spring - Asparagus, Peas, Beetroot, Radishes. Recipe ideas: Salads, Stir-fries, Salsas, Smoothies
• Summer - Tomatoes, Courgette, Corn, Cucumber. Recipe ideas: Salsas, Grilled dishes, Smoothies, Overnight Oats
• Autumn - Pumpkins, Squash, Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts. Recipe ideas: Soups, Pies, Stews, Salads, Sauces
• Winter - Potatoes, Root Vegetables, Red Cabbage, Kale. Recipe ideas: Stews, Casseroles, Juices, Salads

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So why not take this opportunity? Visit your local market this weekend or try a new recipe featuring seasonal produce! During the colder months, why not create a nourishing and warming bowl of vegetable stew that warm us from the inside out! Embrace the seasons—your taste buds will thank you!