Easter Egg Hunt...

Most of my posts deal with healthy foods, ingredients, recipes, and topics that address local farmer's markets and the restaurants that feature them.  However, there is a time and place for all things in moderation.  While this blog will never promote the imported, low-quality meats of the drive-thru or the empty calories of a frappuchino, there are some times when necessary to call attention to some of life's indulgences.  

I love Easter candy.  I don't know why, but I look forward to this time I year for the myriad treats and wealth of sugar it has to offer.  I know, it's nothing to make into a habit, and that's why it's good that this candy is only around for a few weeks each year!  

There are two reasons why I can justify posting such seemingly atypical content on this blog:

1. Easter candy is seasonal (I use that term loosely)

2. One of my favorite candies is locally made

I came home yesterday to a large mixing bowl of Easter candy.  Aimee knows how to surprise me this time of year.  Here's what I found:

The "golden egg" out of this sugary selection is the pink box in the middle - Zitner's Buttercream Egg

Zitner's is a Philadelphia-based confection company that has been around for over 85 years and deserves a locavore shout out just as much as the local farmers.  They make some great Easter candy and their buttercream egg is the belle of the ball.

Even though it's local and "seasonal," I don't encourage to make the indulgence of Zitner's treats a frequent occurrence.  It's all about moderation, and I don't think life is worth living without the occasional indulgence!

For a Limited Time Only.

It’s April, which means it’s the time of the year when the air begins to warm, the flowers begin to show, and the Easter candy hits the stores.  Everyone knows it’s time to indulge in chocolate bunnies and Cadbury Cream Eggs, but does anyone know what fruits and vegetables are in season right now?

The odd thing about this statement is that seasonal Easter candy is the absolute norm.  We wait with anticipation for a over 300 days just to get our hands on these temporary treats but could care less about which vegetable are ripe for the plucking for just as limited time.

This is all because America’s grocery stores and cross-country shipping industries have made us accustomed to the “seasonless” availability of produce.  If I want fresh tomatoes in December and winter squash in June, I can get it all at the local store.  Much like chocolate bunnies are only around for a short time, strawberries are only in season for 3-4 weeks each year, from late May to late June in Pennsylvania.  While many people look forward to this narrow window for berry picking, I would make a bet that many more await the sugary, chocolaty offerings of April. 

The tragedy of “seasonless” produce is that we lose sight of how special and unique each type of fruit and veggie is during its natural peak of freshness.  There’s nothing wrong with looking forward to the different seasons of the year and waiting for the treasures they yield.  Unfortunately, this country’s inhabitants are too face-paced and demanding to ever go back to the way it used to be. 

Be mindful of the seasons and get out to the local farmer’s markets as they begin to open within the next few weeks for the summer season.  One of my produce vendors brought his first batch of spinach on Saturday – one of the signs all that seasonal spring and summer produce is just around the corner!  …but only for a limited time.