"Well, Maybe I DO Like That."

Happy February! It's Vanessa here this week. I've been thinking a lot about CSAs and seasonal eating lately (don't forget to claim your voucher if you're going to buy a CSA share this year!). And you know, it's a lot easier to know what's "in season" in the summer, but not so much in the winter months. Never fear, I've got some ideas!

The reason I was thinking about this has to do with this week's topic, "Strategies for Overcoming Picky Eating". Sometimes when we think we don't like something, it can be because we've only had one variety, or it's been cooked the same way every time, or it's been a Very Sad Tomato in February. If this sounds like you or someone in your family, I encourage you to instead choose your produce based on the calendar. For example, I just don't even consider asparagus, strawberries, or tomatoes until Spring, Late Spring, and Mid-summer respectively. Same with green peas, yellow squash, and sweet corn. The flavor and texture just isn't there, and that could explain why you don't think you like certain foods.

So what do I buy this time of year? Lots of things! You'll see some examples in the graphic. Cabbage is a fave for sure. We eat it in salad, sautéed, and stuffed for starters. If you haven't tried roasted Brussels yet, then you really should. Collard greens might be my favorite green of all time, either slowly simmered with onion and smoked paprika or as a wrap. Sweet potatoes are a fantastic staple that we eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Persimmons might be a fun food for you to try if you haven't - just make sure they are super squishy when you eat them (that's how you know they're ripe). And then my favorite of all favorites this time of year: citrus. All the citrus. Especially Minneola tangelos - they are the ones that look like oranges with the big knob on one end.

Let me know about your seasonal favorites or if you try any of the above... and leave the tomatoes and corn until July.