Saving Money on Seasonal Produce

I enjoyed participating in last month’s eat from the pantry challenge where I cleared a number of items from the freezer and pantry and reduced our overall grocery budget by about 20%.  Another money saving, and fun, thing to do at the grocery store is to save money by buying in-season produce.  Right now, I’m enjoying Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and citrus fruits.  Here are some tips to take full advantage of seasonal produce:

--Learn what the seasons are for fruits and vegetables– With food shipped from all corners of the earth, most of us have forgotten how to eat seasonally.  Looking out for seasonal produce can be a lot of fun, especially if you have an all-year farmer’s market.

–Be adventurous — try out some new fruits and vegetables for the first time.  And for produce that you may have tried but didn’t like the first time, try new recipes.  I now enjoy beets in salad with a zippy mustard dressing, roasted Brussels sprouts, and sauteed cabbage.

--Freeze seasonal fare for later — if you find an exceptionally good deal on seasonal produce, put some away in the freezer for a busy night, or just to add some variety.  I have found that cooked greens and mashed sweet potatoes hold up well in the freezer.  Soups and stews, like sweet potato and black bean chili, of course improve in flavor when eaten later.

–Incorporate more vegetables and fruits in your diet — by learning more about seasonal produce and buying new items, you are also doing a great service to your health by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables.  Although many people lament that produce can be quite expensive, in-season items are generally cheaper than meat and processed pre-prepared foods.

shared at this week’s Fight Back Friday, Frugal Friday