Super Eco

Photo credit: michael.newman on Flickr

Unless you live in Southern California or another perpetually warm area the farmer's market is probably closed this time of year. What can you do to keep those fruits and veggies on the table without breaking the bank or buying everything imported from Mexico? Eat things that are in season and read the labels.

Do some research on the web and at the bookstore to see what is in season locally and beyond in the winter months. Most common winter veggies are carrots, onions, leeks, turnips and some squashes. These veggies all lend themselves well to being made into soups and stews or being roasted in the oven. Once you know what is in season, look at the labels in the supermarket. The little stickers on the onions or the bag of carrots or potatoes might tell you where they are from. Look for products that have traveled the least amount of miles.

If you can't find anything that is from your state or even your region, do the best you can this year and investigate more and more sources for next year Maybe you can plant a garden and put up some of your own veggies for the winter months. Talk to the people at the farmer's market this spring and summer and see what they do in the winter for fresh produce. A little research could help you find a bounty of good food for next winter. Maybe there is a CSA that delivers throughout the winter months.

Once you do buy those in-season vegetables, use the internet, the library and the cookbooks you have to find tasty and delicious recipes. Soups are good. Roasts with vegetables cooked alongside are good if you eat meat. This Spicy Parsnip and Carrot soup might jazz up your normal dinner routine too.