Seasonal fruits and vegetables are those bought and eaten soon after being picked. Eating seasonally has many benefits for your health and the local economy. Some benefits include:
- Less time between the food being picked and you purchasing it. This equals a longer shelf life at home and taste better. Foods that are picked when ripe have more flavor.
- After fruits and vegetables are picked, they start to lose vitamins. A shorter self life means more nutrition for you.
- It supports the local economy by investing in your community farmers. This means more money and jobs stay in your community.
- By supporting local farmers, you help maintain open space for your community. Visit the ‘RI Grown Finder‘ on dem.ri.gov to view farm stands, farmers markets, nurseries, and options for pick-your-own fruits and vegetables.
Some fruits and vegetables that might be available to you this winter include: brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, leeks, mushrooms, parsnips, and sprouts.
Information gathered and adapted from:
https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/
Creamy Leek and Parsnip Soup
Ingredients
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 medium leeks, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
6 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 teaspoons salt
Black pepper, to taste
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
4 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups of water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth
1 Tablespoon plain yogurt (optional)
Directions
1. Put olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add leeks and parsnips, and stir to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Let vegetables cook, stirring frequently until softened but without browning. About 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Add bay leaf, turmeric, and garlic. Stir to coat.
4. Increase heat to high, add water or broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 10 more minutes. Taste broth and adjust seasoning as desired.
5. Remove bay leaf. With a blender, puree soup to creamy consistency. Thin with water or broth, if desired.
6.Reheat the soup before serving. Serve plain, or give each bowl 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt, if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe makes: 5 servings
Nutrition Information:
We believe focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. If your medical condition requires you to know of specific nutrition information, please contact us at info@evolutionrd.com.
Recipe adapted from:
https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/16822444-creamy-leek-and-parsnip-soup?ref=search&search_term=parsnips
