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.
No comments:
Post a Comment