Fruits and Vegetables - Part 1

I have decided to do a mini series about fruits and vegetables. I prefer to serve fresh produce in my home over the stuff that is frozen or in the can. Usually the fruits in a can have added sugar and the vegetables in a can have added salt. There is a healthier option of "no added salt" or canned in fruit juices instead of heavy or light syrup, however, there is nothing like that straight from the garden taste of fresh produce.
Do you ever want to know the best season to eat certain fruits and vegetables? I know I do! For one, fruits and vegetables are less expensive and taste so much better when they are in season. Check out this list here to find out the best time of the year to make fruit and vegetable purchases and enjoy the great taste that freshness provides.

Fall
Apples
Broccoli
Butternut Squash
Cauliflower
Cranberries
Grapes
Jalapeno Peppers
Mushrooms
Pears
Pineapple
Pomegranate
Pumpkin
Sweet Potatoes
Turnips

Winter
Apples
Collard Greens
Grapefruit
Kiwi
Oranges
Pears
Sweet Potatoes
Tangerines
Turnips

Spring
Apricots
Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Collard Greens
Green Beans
Honey Dew
Mangoes
Oranges
Limes
Pineapple
Snow Peas
Spinach
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Snap Peas
Vidalia Onions

Summer
Apricots
Beets
Bell Peppers
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Grapefruit
Grapes
Green Beans
Honey Dew Melons
Jalapeno Peppers
Lima Beans
Limes
Nectarines
Okra
Peaches
Plums
Radishes
Raspberries
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Summer Squash
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Zucchini

Year Round
Avocados
Bananas
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Coconut
Lemons
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Onions
Papayas
Bell Peppers
Potatoes

One thing many people don't realize is that they don't have to buy the whole bunch of bananas or the entire bag of grapes. This goes for most of the produce except for the ones you can buy individually (This means you wouldn't open up a bag of apples to buy just one when they already sell them individually). Many times people buy the entire bunch of bananas only to watch the last couple go bad on their counter. You CAN buy just one banana if you would like. I usually buy just one pound. One pound of grapes is A LOT of grapes. I can feed myself and all six of my children with one pound of grapes and I usually buy them when they are on sale for $.99 a pound. Make use of those scales that are sitting around your grocery store. That is why they are there.


Fruits and Vegetables - Part 2