In recent year’s I’ve dreaded the passing of summer and the transition into fall. Perhaps it’s because I know the dark rainy season is coming, perhaps its a mourning for the loss of long summer evenings spent on the patio, whatever the reason I’ve mumbled and grumbled my way into fall.
This year I’m sensing a change. I’ve been focusing on supporting local vendors, eating produce in season, and voting with my pocketbook for natural and organic food. As a result, we don’t eat tomatoes in winter (or those red balls they call tomatoes that really taste nothing like one picked fresh from the garden) and we don’t eat cabbage in the summer. We eat what’s in season and, as much as possible, what’s grown locally.
I’ve gotten into preserving food by dehydrating, freezing and canning and have set a personal goal to eliminate all store-bought canned food from our home.
On the weekend we went to our market, Carpinito Brothers, where they sell a vast array of locally grown produce and flowers and plants.
A visit to Carpinito is a feast for the eyes with a promise of a feast for the stomach that you know will come later. We enjoyed delicata squash (my favorite squash) for dinner on Saturday night, I canned and froze tomatoes on Sunday (we will be eating tomatoes in the winter but they’ll be ones that were grown locally and preserved by yours truly), and enjoyed roasted root veggies for dinner on meatless Monday.
Fall is the only time we can enjoy things like a variety of squash and roasted root vegetables. Embracing the change of seasons, it seems, is yet another benefit of eating locally and in season.
A healthy diet, a sense of doing the right thing, an appreciation for the work of farmers, and now, an appreciation for fall. I think I’m on to something!
Dear Linda, yes, I do think you’re on to something. I had the opportunity to go to the farmer’s market in the Kansas City bottoms last Saturday but had to pass on that because of a family picnic. But I can see now what I’m missing! Thank you for opening my eyes. Peace.
Hope you enjoyed your family picnic, Dee.
Linda, I agree with your post — buying locally and in season is the right thing to do! And we are just beginning to get in step with this concept. More freezing of locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with buying in season. In a couple of weeks, we’re headed to Hood River for a Honey Crisp Festival at one of the orchards we’ve found that’s become a favorite. And honey crisp is the apple of choice now at home. I’m wondering how I could preserve those other than applesauce or jam. Hmmmmm — you’ve got me thinking and searching now. 🙂
Mmmm…I bet you could can some delicious apple sauce from those Honey Crisp’s Sherrey! I wonder if there will be apple pie served in your house soon. Now that has me thinking about fresh apple pie…nothing like it!
Hi Linda,
I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award! I wrote it’s because “she writes from her heart, and I felt a connection with her right away.” Your blog has inspired me, so thank you!
Denise, how sweet! Thank you so much for the acknowledgement!
Lovely pictures, and sentiments I agree with wholeheartedly! Like you, I’m fortunate to live in a place where farmers’ markets abound, and I love choosing my menu based on what is available on any given day. I admire that you’re taking things further and preserving food for the winter. Not there yet 🙂
Hi Sally, thank you for stopping by!
Canning and preserving food has become a passion. I’d go so far as to say that it’s an addictive activity!
I went out and took a bunch of pumpkin pictures yesterday too. I love this time of year. I like all the seasons, actually and especially like the fact that they change.
I admire that you are eating locally and seasonally. We do some of that, but it’s really hit or miss, not a conscious commitment. Good for you.