In Season

With the changing of seasons brings new or different culinary options. Depending on what produce is readily available at the market or shop. Going to different markets and shops may offer some variety. Snow has already settled on the ground in E-town so winter is definitely here. Depending on where you are it could be summer, it could be spring, it could be fall or winter. Also maybe the climate does not lend to a definite four season change. However in or out of season one might think one to be, with this cookbook one will always be kept in season.

In Season features 85 different produce organized by season. With 250 recipes displaying foods at their peak is the best way to enjoy and ensure their real flavour. Divided into 5 chapters; Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall and Winter. This book gives helpful tips on how to select, keep items fresh, preparing, how to use your selected fruit and veggies and preserving options. The "Did You Know?" facts offers you a bit of food for thought.

My favourite chapters are Fall and Winter. For me, that is when the oven genuinely starts working overtime, the slow cooker is on standby, and the kitchen constantly divulges all the baking goodness wafting throughout the house. The comforts of the season really  do come forward and the kitchen is the heart of the house. Since the winter has begun here, I will share the list of prime winter fruit and veg. 

Winter

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Avocados

Bananas

Bean Sprouts

Ginger

Grapefruit

Kiwi

Lemons

Limes 

Mangoes

Oranges and Mandarins

Passionfruit

Pineapple 

Pomegranates

Sunchokes... 

Sunchokes? Look like ginger. Have a subtly sweet nutty flavour. I will have to keep an eye out for those.

Regardless of what season it is I thought this would be a good recipe to share from the book. Sounds fresh and lovely. Also I thought it would be good on toast topped with an egg.  

Tropical Salsa

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1 cup diced mango (1 large mango)

1 cup diced papaya (1 large papaya)

1/3 cup diced kiwi (2 small kiwis)

1 cup diced pineapple

1/3 cup diced red bell pepper

1/4 diced red onion 

1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, minced

1 or 2 jalapeños, cored, seeded and minced

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

pinch od salt

pinch of cayenne

Combined all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently. Taste and adjust the seasonings. 

Enjoy! -JW