| 'Tis the season to be jolly, indeed. Sound like | | | | regular farmer's markets, children's activities, and |
| "Christmas in the Springtime"? Well, it certainly is to | | | | provides a searchable database of all the produce |
| chefs and amateur cooks alike throughout Texas. | | | | listed above, including farms where the goodies can be |
| Produce is coming into season all across the Northern | | | | picked by hand. Whether you're in Houston or El Paso, |
| Hemisphere, and there's simply nothing like cooking with | | | | you can track where your local farmers' markets are, |
| fresh ingredients, or having that amazing | | | | as well as actual nearby farms. Keep in mind that not |
| blackberry-based fruit salad first thing in the morning. | | | | every small farm, and not every farmer's market, will |
| Doctors and health insurance companies alike | | | | be listed on the site, so watch for local opportunities to |
| recommend diets rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, | | | | buy and pick locally grown produce. |
| and now is the time to maximize on that healthy | | | | Here are a few tips for buying fresh produce from the |
| produce. | | | | farmer's market, as adapted from a recent publication |
| The best way to buy produce is, of course, through | | | | of the University of Nebraska's Cooperative |
| the local farmer's markets. Texas has some of the | | | | Extension:o Carefully check for signs of spoilage or |
| country's best markets, partially due to the state's long | | | | mold. Pick up the fruit, handle it gently, smell it, and |
| growing season and ability to produce a wide variety | | | | inspect the piece from the front, back and sides. Fresh |
| of fresh goods. Not only can customers feel good | | | | produce spoils quickly, so you want to make sure it |
| about buying directly from the farmer who grew it -- | | | | hasn't started to degrade before it even hits the |
| thereby giving him or her a higher profit margin in a | | | | fridge.o Handle all food gently. Bacteria grow quickly in |
| competitive business and helping the local economy -- | | | | a bruised area.o Travel home soon after purchasing |
| but they can also leave knowing they're buying a | | | | the produce. If proper storage conditions and |
| healthier product. | | | | temperatures aren't maintained, wonderful food can |
| Farmers' markets are also wonderful social venues, | | | | begin to degrade within hours.o Store potatoes, onions, |
| bringing together members of the population that may | | | | sweet potatoes, tomatoes, winter squashes, bananas, |
| not normally meet -- those from a variety of ethnic, | | | | and melons in a clean, dry, well-ventilated area away |
| economic, and educational backgrounds. Cities like | | | | from direct sunlight.o Avocados, kiwi fruit, peaches, |
| Dallas, Houston and Austin are great places to witness | | | | nectarines, plums, mangoes, and pears can be ripened |
| many cultures coming together to share good food, | | | | on a counter, outside of a plastic bag, and out of direct |
| recipes, cultivation tips, and excellent company. | | | | sunlight. After they ripen, it's best to refrigerate the fruit |
| Many markets feature live music and local | | | | until they're ready to be consumed. To accelerate the |
| craftspeople as well, providing regulars an even better | | | | ripening process, place several pieces in a single layer |
| chance to get to know their community, and to honor | | | | at the bottom of a paper bag. The insulated off-gases |
| those who still make products by hand. To meet the | | | | will speed the aging process.o Most other produce is |
| person who grows your family's food, or to have a | | | | best stored in the refrigerator, below 40º F. Use |
| conversation with the one who made your favorite | | | | commercial, food-grade perforated bags, or punch |
| hand-carved oak chest is incredibly enriching. | | | | about 20 holes in a non-ventilated produce bag. This |
| A recent study showed that an average piece of | | | | will maintain moisture, but provide needed airflow.o |
| supermarket produce travels 2,000 miles before it | | | | Store fruits and vegetables in separate refrigerator |
| reaches its destination -- and that's a national average, | | | | crisper drawers. Fruits give off ethylene gas that can |
| so it includes produce in agricultural states like California | | | | shorten the lives of vegetables, and certain vegetables |
| and Texas. It may seem silly for an avocado to be | | | | (like onion) produce odors that will reduce the quality |
| shipped to Texas -- a state that can, and easily does, | | | | and taste of the fruits. |
| grow it -- but it's all a part of the efficiency-first | | | | Here are a couple of great recipes to try with your |
| systems of mega corporations that literally collect, | | | | fresh produce, provided by the Texas Department of |
| handle, and redistribute tons of food a day. In order to | | | | Agriculture's website: |
| survive such a journey, much of this produce is | | | | Easy Cajun Grilled Veggies |
| sprayed with preservative chemicals. Such | | | | Serves 8 |
| preservatives reduce spoilage and maintain the | | | | * 2 Texas zucchinis, cut into 1/2-inch slices |
| product's fresh appearance, but many of the plants' | | | | * 2 large Texas white onions, cut into 1/2-inch wedges |
| nutrients will still be lost. | | | | * 2 Texas yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch slices |
| In addition, there is serious debate on the health effects | | | | * 1/4 Cup light olive oil |
| of agricultural pesticides. A strong organic farming | | | | * 1 Teaspoon Cajun seasoning |
| movement has developed in response to the last | | | | * 1/2 Teaspoon. salt |
| several decades' increasing use of artificial chemicals | | | | * 1/2 Teaspoon cayenne pepper |
| on food products. The issue extends across the | | | | * 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce |
| national border; certain pesticides that are legal in | | | | Directions |
| Mexico, and other countries from which produce is | | | | Place zucchinis, onions and yellow squash in a large |
| imported, for example, are banned in the U.S. due to | | | | bowl. |
| known toxic side effects. Because the chemicals are | | | | In a small bowl, mix together light olive oil, Cajun |
| not actually applied in this country, however, the food is | | | | seasoning, salt, cayenne pepper and Worcestershire |
| allowed to be marketed here, sometimes with | | | | sauce. Pour over the vegetables. Cover and marinate |
| measurable levels of the banned substances. | | | | in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes. |
| In contrast, produce at a farmer's market only travels | | | | Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil |
| an average of 50 miles. Not only does this mean | | | | grate. |
| fewer chemicals on the delicate, absorptive skins of | | | | Place marinated vegetable pieces on skewers or |
| most fruits and vegetables, but also that a higher | | | | directly on the grill. Cook 5 minutes or to desired |
| nutrient value will be maintained. A selection of | | | | doneness. |
| organically grown foods is also available at most | | | | Cantaloupe Sorbet |
| farmer's markets. The fresher the food, the more | | | | * 11 Ounces Granulated sugar |
| vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals are present -- | | | | * 4 Ounces Fresh water |
| not to mention providing a much better taste. These | | | | * 1-1/2 Quarts Texas cantaloupe juice |
| nutrients aren't simply a way to eat healthy; they also | | | | Ice Cream Maker |
| serve to fight cancer, heart disease, aging, stress, | | | | Directions for the Cantaloupe Sorbet |
| depression, and many other ailments. | | | | Combine sugar and water and bring to a boil. Mix with |
| Texas is an unusually wonderful place for farmers' | | | | cantaloupe juice and freeze according to your ice |
| markets. In fact, even residents of cities like Houston, | | | | cream maker's specifications. Form as needed. |
| Dallas, and Austin have access to a plethora of locally | | | | Choose a Texas white wine such as Blanc du Bois as |
| grown produce, a luxury in any urban area. With its | | | | the perfect complement to this cool, sweet treat. |
| long growing season and varied climate, an array of | | | | (Provided by Pastry Chef Derek Poirier, Four Seasons |
| fruits and vegetables is easily cultivated throughout the | | | | Hotel, Houston, TX) |
| state. A short list includes apples, avocados, beans, | | | | So go check it out. Farmer's markets are amazing |
| berries, blackberries, black-eyed peas, blueberries, | | | | resources, and they should be used to their fullest |
| cantaloupe, citrus, cucumbers, figs, flowers, garlic, | | | | advantage -- and for the betterment of your health. |
| grapes, greens, herbs, honey, melons, nectarines, okra, | | | | You'll be surprised how much variety you'll find, how |
| onions, peaches, pears, peas, pecans, peppers, | | | | beautiful simple foods can be, and how eager you'll be |
| persimmons, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, raspberries, | | | | to eat! |
| spinach, squash, strawberries, sweet corn, sweet | | | | How you eat when you're young will certainly affect |
| potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watermelon. | | | | your health as you age, and eventually affect your |
| The Texas Department of Agriculture's website lists | | | | wallet as well. |