The availability of fruits and vegetables vary in growing seasons. Certain crops are grown during specific times of the year. As seasons change, available food varies, too.
The weather also affects our mood and how we feel. Most likely, the climate influences what we want to eat and the dishes we make.
With the arrival of winter, we prefer root vegetables, dark leafy greens like Kale, warm soups and fruits like grapefruits and lemon. Our body craves warmer foods during these cold months.
While during warmer months, we favour cooler foods such as berries, watermelons and summer squash.
A great way to eat with the seasons is by having locally grown produce. Including seasonal fruits and vegetables in the recipe is beneficial. In-season foods are tastier. They are harvested at the right time to be consumed. Thus, it is healthier and you are gaining more nutrition.
They are much cheaper, too! These foods don’t have to travel far to get to you. Transportation cost is minimal. Also to mention, they don’t contain chemicals and sprays to stay longer and not rotten compared to that off-season.
You can better balance your diet by eating healthy foods based on season. You can enjoy optimal nutrition throughout the entire year.
Usual food available during winter in Canada
The days grow shorter and the temperature drops during winter. It doesn’t mean that fruits and vegetables stop growing during these times.
Knowing what to buy seasonally empowers home cooking with the best possible local flavors.
Here are in season crops during winter:
Cabbage
The sweeter the cabbage means it’s grown in a cooler weather. This coleslaw standard is crisp and bright when raw. The longer it’s cooked, the sweeter and mellow it gets.
Carrot
Carrots can range in colors. Others can be white, purple or the typical orange. They are available from winter storage of local growers.
Carrots are both good when grilled, roasted or raw.
Parsnip
Often, parsnip is easily mistaken for a white carrot. It has a great nutty flavour. Select thinner parsnip. The fatter ones have woody, thick cores that you need to cut out.
Parsnips are great made into a velvety soap. They are deliciously roasted, as well.
Turnips and Rutabaga
Turnips make into a creamy, smooth soup. Rutabagas are also known as ‘yellow turnips’. They are nutty and sweet. This root vegetable is great mashed with plenty of butter or roasted. Of course, it is perfect in stews.
Squash
Squash of all sorts come into season in fall. But it usually lasts well into winter.
Potatoes
Potatoes are cool-season vegetables. Once harvested, they can be stored throughout winter and remain edible for several weeks.
Leek
Leek is a member of the onion family. They tend to have tough inner cores and are more than 1 1/2 inches wide. Avoid leeks with wilted tops.
Why healthy food is important especially during winter
The colder climate typically tends to make people sick. Viruses survive longer outside of a human host. If someone coughs into their hand and touches the doorknob, the virus may linger on the surface. There is a high vulnerability that someone else will come in contact with the virus and get sick.
Keep warm during the cold season. A heavier winter diet will keep you full of energy and rejuvenate. You don’t want to end up ending your winter in bed with cold-borne diseases.
For this season, it is important to keep well-nourished. The best defence against illness is to safeguard your health. A strong immune system can help ward off the virus and bacteria that cause colds and flu.
Food and beverages your family can enjoy
- Cabbage Steak
Cabbage is packed with Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Not only that, it is loaded with nutrients such as fibre, folate, anti-carcinogenic compounds and antioxidants.
Ingredients:
1 head cabbage
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp light olive oil
2 tbsp minced garlic
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 175 degrees C or 350 degrees F. Cut the bottom off of the cabbage. Cut into 1-inch thick slices. In a large casserole, arrange the slices in a single layer. Drizzle olive oil over the sliced cabbage. Top with garlic. Season with pepper and salt. Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Put it in a preheated oven. Cook cabbage until the core is easily pierced with a fork. For about 45 minutes, the cabbage steak is ready. Cabbage can be also eaten raw. Slice up a few leaves. Add to salads or stir-fries.
- Lemon Turmeric Smoothie with chia seeds
Here’s a healthy breakfast option in under five minutes.
Ingredients
3 frozen bananas, cut into pieces
½ c coconut milk or almond milk
2 tsp lemon zest
¼ c lemon juice fresh
1 c yogurt, vanilla or honey flavoured can use vegan yogurt
2 tbsp honey or agave nectar if vegan
½ tsp turmeric
2 Tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
In a large blender, place all ingredients, except for the chia seeds. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth. Add chia seeds. Blend for 5 seconds. You can wait for 5 minutes for the chia seeds to soak up or you can serve immediately.
With a bit of planning and creativity, it’s possible to get your fix of fresh fruits and vegetables all winter long.
If you feel unwell, even if you eat healthily, it’s important to get medical help. You can go to a walk in clinic Guelph. Or, for faster diagnosis, call an online doctor.
Nature has a way of balancing the environment with the food available to us. The variation in seasons comes with a variety of nutrients, too.
There is a variation in the availability in different seasons. Making efforts to eat in season is developing a meaningful connection to the food on our plates. Rocketdoctor.ca is available 24/7 if you are sick.
