Spring is here and the scent and feeling is already in the air. Everyone is cleaning out their homes and bringing out summer clothes and outdoor furniture. It’s prime season for patio beers and barbecues with friends, to daydream summer plans of beach times, road trips and music festivals.
It’s a magical time indeed! And of course with this time of excitement and adventure planning also comes more variety of food and shared meals in backyards.
BC has an amazing array of different veggies and fruits that are set to come our way this spring. Soon enough we can stop binging on root veggies and living off kale and start looking forward to the different types of food that will be out and ready to tantalize our taste buds.
Many Vancouverites are getting on board with the local food movement and with that comes the “eating seasonal” train.
Why? Oh, so many reasons. Whether it is just the next trend, environmental concerns or to strengthen the local economy by supporting local sustainable farming, in the words of Martha Stewart, “it’s a good thing!”
The farmers’ market will soon leave Nat Bailey and spill throughout the city in a couple of months to gift us with their bounty of goodness. Take advantage of the nice weather and get yourself out for a walk to treat yourself to some awesome produce goodness.
Here is what’s already here and what's coming up the next couple of months.
Apples
Slice them, dice them, bake them, consume. Fact: Apples have cancer-fighting agents that specifically fight lung cancer. Interesting? I think so!
Pears
The combination of apples/pears showed the most consistent ability to lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. Pears are high in dietary fiber, vitamins C and E, and antioxidants. My favorite way to eat pears lately is on a pizza with balsamic reduction and Gorgonzola cheese. Pear on a pizza? YES! Do it.
Rosemary
Not only awesome with chicken and also basically any other food but it also stimulates blood flow to the brain helping you stay alert and with memory. I was obsessed with having a rosemary tea while studying for exams, whether it was placebo or the actual herb, my grades were pretty rad.
Sage
Want better brain function and anti-inflammatory action? Get some sage in you! It’s great with chicken or roasted veggies, make sure to add near the end of cooking times to preserve it’s delicate flavour.
Asparagus
Yes it makes your pee and semen smell weird, but it has been considered a delicacy since ancient time, and to my surprise super high in B vitamins! No kidding? So I guess next time you’re stressed, steam up or bake some asparagus and chill out.
Rhubarb
Help support the healthy growth of bones by eating this delicious vitamin K-packed awesomeness. It’s also loaded with vitamin C to help keep your immune system keep on fighting!
Spinach
Iron anyone? Good raw or cooked you can enjoy this nutrient and mineral rich green for pleasure or for health!
Fiddleheads
Search the Internet for prime times to forage these beauties and get out for a hike. Be mindful however, in some areas it is forbidden. Fiddleheads are an awesome source of protein, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese. That's right all that packed in a fun sized weird looking green edible thing. Enjoy, but make sure to cook them first to break down the toxic shikimic acid they contain.
Radish
This lovely pink, peppery-tasting root veggie gives you a crunch with every bite and is super-engulfed with vitamin C. Not just good for fighting disease and boosting immune system, it also helpsto rebuild tissues and blood vessels.
Recipe: Asparagus side dish
Ingredients
2 bunches of asparagus
1 tbsp cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp balsamic reduction
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
• Wash asparagus thoroughly and break off the ends and discard.
• Steam asparagus until tender.
• Serve with drizzled olive oil, balsamic reduction and salt and pepper.