For sometime now I have been making a rather grand effort to eat with the seasons, while at the same time supporting local farmers and purveyors. So far, I think it has been going pretty well. However, I do have a something to confess; a few weeks ago I snapped. I wanted a salad bursting with summer. I wanted tomatoes, peppers and green beans and I wanted it then. It was March. I tried to resist, but nothing worked. It didn’t help that I have been living vicariously through New Zealander Bron Marshall, who recently posted photos from her bountiful garden ready for harvest that sent me over the edge.
We all know how it is. We try to make it through on winter veggies and most do alright. But then spring comes, and although there are a few new things out there (depending on your location), in early spring it sometimes isn’t enough to satisfy the longing for the spoils of summer. So I snapped, I bought green beans, tomatoes and peppers and made a glorious salad and I enjoyed every last bite. Then the guilt started. I don’t want to feel guilty. Why should I? After all try very hard to live like this
I should mention those out there that are intimidated by eating seasonally and locally. It’s understandable, since many seem to equate shopping at a farmers market with something out of reach that only a select few can do. When the reality is that it is really a fun and inexpensive to do. . . until the overwhelming and inevitable craving for a tomato in mid-March comes along and suddenly you are eating hothouse tomatoes like they are going out of style.
Whatever your reason is, for or against, it is a personal choice one I have made. I like eating food in season, because in my opinion it tastes better. My grandfather was a farmer and I feel very strongly about supporting local farmers whenever I can. A little more superficially is that I love wandering through Pike Place Market, shopping, learning, chatting, and sampling. I love that I have an onion guy, a certain bakery for baguettes and a butcher who inquires about my progress with my homemade sausages. It makes me feel a part of my community and I don’t think of food shopping as a chore anymore because I have chosen this route.
For those who would like to eat this way, but for whatever reason don’t just do your best. Even if you can’t get to the farmer’s market, many grocers carry local items, just read the sign. Most likely you’ll get a fresh product while supporting your community. If like me, you don’t manage to do it every single time, don’t feel guilty, it’s okay, just endeavor to do a little better each time.
*But if you live in England and want a banana, for goodness sake have a banana.
* Oh, and those of you in the north, don’t worry the winter isn’t all root veggies and onions.
A few years ago Richard and I were driving to Mt. Rainier and along the side of the road some farmers were selling fresh corn on the cob from the back of their pick up; we got ten ears for a dollar and it was better than anything I ever ate from a grocery store.
Leslie, Tomorrow we are going to Vashon and I’ve heard tell of a family selling their own smoked salmon from Neah Bay on the side of the road. The salmon hunt is on!
Since going to school, I have found myself having a very hard time enjoying foods that are not in season. I’m glad to have this experience, as I am now eating foods that satisfy almost any jones I have for stuff that tastes good. Do I want to have a bucket of heirloom tomatoes right now? Absolutely, but there is a happy medium.
Can you say, “Morels”?
Knifethrower, hothouse tomatoes never quite deliver the satisfaction and flavor you get from a plump, juicy sun ripened tomato. Eating like this is usually so easy with so much to choose from, but I really have a hard time at the end of winter/beginning of spring.
Yum, I actually need to hit up Corner Produce and make a dent in their morel mountain.