Seasonal Produce Guide

To me few things taste better than a fresh summer peach or a crisp fall apple. I love buying seasonal produce because I know I’m getting the best quality, and here in Philadelphia most grocers offer locally grown produce.

While shopping for fruits and veggies do you ever feel unsure of what to buy during certain times of the year?

Here’s a quick guide to what fruits and vegetables are in top form each season:

Summer (there’s still a few good weeks left to stock up!):
Apricots
Artichokes
Asparagus
Bananas (good almost all year-round, but summer is the time to eat them quickest as their shelf life can be shorter.)
Various Greens (like Spinach, Kale, Arugula and Swiss chard)
Blackberries
Beets
Bell Peppers (my favorite!)
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cauliflower
Cherries
Currants
Corn
Cucumber
Eggplant
Figs
Grapes
Melons
Peaches
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tomatoes (plum, baby, off the vine etc – in red, green and yellow!)
Watermelon
Zucchini

Fall:
Apples
Bananas
Beets
Beans
Brazilian Mangoes
Broccoli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Eggplant
Garlic
Grapes
Gourds
Onions
Pears
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Squash
Sweet Corn
Tomatoes
Turnips

Winter:

*In Philly the growing season is basically dormant from January through April, but that doesn’t mean tasty produce isn’t an option.

Here’s some good choices:
Apples (best in early winter)
Bananas
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Celery
Greens (Collards, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale.)
Leeks
Parsnips
Potatoes
Radishes
Winter Squash

Spring:
Asparagus
Celery
Florida Mangoes
Greens (again- almost always good!)
Lima Beans
Peas
Strawberries

Of course, there’s some overlap, and produce availability and freshness can vary depending on your region. But, this list helps serve as an overall guide to help you eat from farm to table . When you buy what’s fresh in your region you’re helping to minimize the number of food miles your purchases travel. And the food tends to taste so much better – enjoy!

Posted by Beth