Us millennials have seen many food trends come and go, but one that I hope sticks around is the eating local trend. Eating locally benefits you and your community, and it's relatively easy. Eating locally goes hand-in-hand with eating seasonally, so it's helpful to know which foods are in season and where in your community you can buy them. This is a list of foods that are in season in Nova Scotia during the late fall and early winter.
1. Pumpkins
While many people only use pumpkins once a year as a Halloween decoration or in the form of store-bought pie filling, they have so much more potential than most people give them credit for. The number of creative pumpkin recipes on the internet is practically endless, and they're not all pumpkin spice.
2. Carrots
Carrots can be prepared in a variety of different ways, and there is definitely no shortage of recipes to use them in. Carrots are versatile because they can be used in inventive dishes or simple ones, like carrot sticks with buckets of hummus.
3. Brussel Sprouts
Many people I know dislike Brussel sprouts because they're "boring", but trust me, Brussel sprouts are anything but boring when you use this recipe. You'll thank me after your next Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner.
4. Potatoes
Potatoes are a staple food in many parts of the world, especially our neighbouring province, PEI. They also happen to be in season during fall and winter in Nova Scotia. Get creative with some of these recipes to make the ultimate potato dish.
5. Squash
Squash is definitely one of my favourite vegetables. Even though figuring out how to use them seems like a bit of a mystery at first, squash can be used in so many meals and paired with many different flavours.
6. Apples
While the popular phrase "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may or may not be true, apples are still have a lot of potential for fall or winter baking. Be sure to check out these Gala apples next time you're at the grocery store.
7. Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be used to replace certain ingredients in recipes to make them a little healthier. Cauliflower also happens to be inexpensive this time of year and you can even freeze it for those weeks when you don't make it to the grocery store.
8. Onions
Onions can be added to virtually any meal to improve flavour. Meals such as salads, sandwiches, quesadillas, and stir-frys are your best bet.
Next time you're at the grocery store and want to eat seasonally, think about the foods that are in season where you are. Chances are, seasonal vegetables and fruit will be less expensive, and they'll probably taste better.