A Celebration of Seasonal Produce
My mom is 101 and ¾ - yes, it matters when you get this age, just like when you’re 5 and ½! Just ask any kindergartener or centenarian. I asked Mom the other day what she misses as her mobility and hearing wane. We talked about many things: her friends, singing in the church choir, chatting and reminiscing all through lunch.
Then, of course, I asked what produce items she wouldn’t want to miss if this were her last chance to have them. She thought and shared, then I thought about my own answer, what seasonal organic produce would I miss most? It’s a tough question, but we both managed to settle on some of our favorites:
Fall
For mom, it was new season apples. I agreed with her, though for me the real stars are the many delicious short-season apples: Liberty, Cortland, Paula Red, McIntosh, Arkansas Black, Pippin…the list goes on!
For my own list, Keitt mangoes topped the pile - I wait all year for these. I could eat an entire pan of roasted delicata squash rings coated in coconut oil and sea salt, and of course I couldn’t forget persimmons, Fuyus and Hachiyas, and Asian pears, especially Hosui and Shinko.
Winter
Mom chose traditional Thanksgiving sweet potatoes with marshmallows and Russet potatoes - she loves a loaded baked potato!
For my part, I agree with Mom - except I prefer my sweet potatoes with steamed chard and avocado slices. Then of course there are Seckel pears, satsuma mandarins, navel oranges, butternut and kabocha squash, and Brussels sprouts!
Spring
For Mom, it’s pineapple. For me, I thought of California central coast strawberries and asparagus first. The curious shape of Abate fetal pears is the perfect invitation to take a bite - and I couldn’t forget spring garlic and onions, pixie tangerines, or tangelos…
Summer
Mom’s picks are classics: watermelon and fresh corn. I agree with Mom, again; I would always come back to these two hot weather staples!
For me, I would truly be saddened not to have one more chance to bite into the perfect summer peach - this is a must! Early Girl, Black Krim, and Sungold tomatoes really complete a summer. Fresh blackberries- there is nothing like them any other time of year.
Galia and orange honeydew melons can make a day, green beans crisp and snappy, and radishes - yep, radishes sliced on top of a slice of freshly baked sourdough bread that has a nice thick slathering of really good butter on it.
As you can see, we covered a wide range of produce and reasons! What would you miss, and why?
As we wind down and give thanks, it’s nice to ponder on what we appreciate each day and those we’d like to share a moment of appreciation with. Instead of talking football, politics, or the weather - how about a round of produce appreciation during your holiday meals? You might be surprised at what you learn!
