Seasonal Produce: What's In Now Where You Live? How Do You Use It?

**james.hendrickson** · 07-03-2018, 05:31 AM

Out here in Oregon raspberries are in season. I took the family berry picking last weekend and got 2 lbs of apples and 2 lbs of raspberries for $8.99. It would have been closer to 11 or 12 bucks if we bought that fruit at a grocery store - AND we got some good exercise and a fun family outing.

**scfr** · 07-04-2018, 05:43 AM

Originally posted by james.hendrickson View Post

Out here in Oregon raspberries are in season. I took the family berry picking last weekend and got 2 lbs of apples and 2 lbs of raspberries for $8.99. It would have been closer to 11 or 12 bucks if we bought that fruit at a grocery store - AND we got some good exercise and a fun family outing.

AND they were as fresh as it gets.
That sounds great, James. What a fun family outing.

**scfr** · 07-09-2018, 05:47 AM

This week's deals were small Southern peaches for 77-cents a lb, red bell peppers for 98-cents each, 6 oz clamshell of blackberries for $1.88, and green onions for 36-cents a bunch.

I also got a big bunch of organic basil and a pint of mixed mini-tomatoes at the farmer's market for $3 each. Those weren't cheap, but were competitive with regular super market prices and they were super-fresh.

Yesterday I made Pesto Garden Pasta with homemade almond butter pesto (recipes found in "The Minimalist Kitchen" by Melissa Coleman who also blogs as "The Faux Martha"). I substituted green onions instead of red, and used veggie pasta.

Isn't the idea of making pesto with almond butter brilliant? I think so - wish I had thought of it! I've not made homemade pesto before because I've been put off by the idea of buying a bag of expensive pine nuts when I only need a little bit. But I almost always have almond butter on hand.

**bjl584** · 07-09-2018, 07:18 AM

I'm starting to see corn, peppers, and tomatoes at the local farm market.

On a side note, I've been picking black raspberries the past couple weeks. Black berries are coming in now. I was out in the woods yesterday, and it looks like they will be ready to pick in a few days.

I'm starting to get banana and green bell peppers in my garden as well.

**james.hendrickson** · 07-09-2018, 07:44 AM

We have peppers and tomatoes in our garden as well - we aren't the most frugal, but gardening is a good inexpensive family activity.

**scfr** · 10-08-2018, 10:24 AM

Zucchini is in season in Texas right now. Today I'm going to make "Simple Zucchini Soup" from the cookbook "100 Days of Real Food on a Budget" (that I checked out from the local library).

Over the weekend I made "Okra Oven Fries" (okra quartered length-wise, seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, a bit of spice, and roasted in the oven). I don't know if it's okra season or not, but the okra looked nice & fresh, not too expensive, and the recipe was easy. I got the idea to try this from another library cookbook, "Deep Run Roots" by Vivian Howard. You may have seen her TV show "A Chef's Life" on PBS. But I digress ... I love roasted root vegetables. I would not have thought to try roasting fresh okra had I not read the recipe and the author's description of how tasty they are when cooked this way.

I'm not a gourmet chef, so sticking with easy recipes is essential to keep me on the budget-and-health-conscious path.

**crazyliblady** · 08-10-2022, 07:56 AM

Cantaloupe, watermelon, zucchini, and cucumbers are in here in Kansas.
I like to cut up cantaloupe into cubes. They make a great side for lunch taken to work or school. The same goes for watermelon.
I love zucchini. I have used it making zucchini fritters, which are a great side for lunch taken to work or school. Here is my favorite recipe: https://www.healthy-holistic-living....ritters-recipe
I also love cucumbers and will eat them at breakfast, with a salad for lunch, or as a snack.

Seasonal Produce: What's In Now Where You Live? How Do You Use It?