How to remember produce seasons

by Nicole Weston, Posted Jun 1st 2006 @ 9:03AM

Sarah mentioned that some studies show that British shoppers are clueless about seasonal produce. I think it's a fair bet that many people, in many countries are similarly unaware of the prime season for at least one fruit or vegetable. Without getting into the various issues surrounding why it is or is not best to buy seasonal (local) produce, there are two ways to figure out what's in season quickly.

First, you can visit a local farmer's market. You'll be able to find fruits and veggies at the peak of their season without too much problem. Stock up on things that freeze well, like berries, so you don't have to worry about seasonality when you get a craving.

The second way is a little more fun.

The Guardian printed a poem to help you remember the appropriate seasons. Granted, it's a bit long, but hopefully after one or two chants at least a few pieces of it should stick in your mind:

Roots and sprouts available be
Throughout Jan and February.
Leeks, cauliflower and cabbage, too,
Can be enjoyed ere winter's through.
Then colours come with March's thaw:
Rhubarb, carrots (and beets from store).
But April's menus are a riddle,
As stored crops run out in the middle;
Mere salads must your table dress
With lettuces and watercress.

May can be warm, but it is cruel;
Few things grow this month, as a rule.
But then at last some lunch appears:
New potatoes and asparagus spears!
Rejoice therefore and clap your hands;
Now is the time to slaughter lambs!

In June, the veg are in full swing,
And so are some fruits, including:
Blackcurrants, cherries and tomatoes
(They are a fruit, like avocados).
Berries too are on the loose,
The early ones, both straw and goose.

In summer, veg are hard to miss,
Thanks to photosynthesis:
Fennel, herbs, beans green and broad,
Carrots can again be stored,
Peppers, courgettes(1) nice and chewy,
Time to make some ratatouille!
Then tree fruit with September comes
(That means apples, pears and plums.)
Soon purple things are also seen:
Red cabbage, beets and aubergine(2).
And now's the time, in case you wondered,
That onions and spuds are keenly plundered.

The growing season's nearly over
When marrow's plucked around October,
Although this month is also big
In apples, pears and fresh-picked fig.

By Guy Fawkes (3) night the frost is freed,
But that won't stop the hearty swede.
Parsnips, too, the soils expel,
Some cabbages and leeks as well.
They'll be needed, just remember,
As bugger all grows in December.

Notes for non-Brits: (1) zucchini (2) eggplant (3) November 5

Source

Filed Under: Farming, Newspapers, Ingredients
Tags: fall, farmers, farming, fruit, guardian, marmers markets, poem, produce, seasonal, seasons, spring, summer, vegetables, winter

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-01-2006 @10:00AM Mitchell said... I like the second way better!
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6-01-2006 @11:02AM kevin said... I like the bit about clapping and slaughtering lambs.
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6-01-2006 @3:13PM yelena said... the second way is way cuter...but the first way is just wayyyyy easier. since the farmer's market is basically the only place i get my fruits and veg anyways they make it easy for me to know what is in season ;]
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