With the arrival of a new season comes fresh fruits and vegetables rich in flavors and nutrients. This blog post from Senior Helpers Lexington, SC will review the local and domestic produce available in September. We'll explore different ways to prepare, serve, and store these seasonal delights and share some tasty and healthy recipes. We will also share our top healthy September produce recommendations.
Advantages of Eating Seasonal Produce
Fruits and vegetables harvested in their peak season offer more flavor and come packed with vital nutrients. Additionally, seasonal produce supports more sustainable agriculture and has a reasonable price tag. If you buy too much to eat within a few days, you may want to freeze the produce or make it into jams or jellies, in this case, plums and pears both freeze very well.
Spotlight on September Produce
As September unfolds, it brings a variety of seasonal produce. Apples, pears, and plums add sweetness to the season. Bell peppers, eggplants, and zucchini also lend a hearty feel to our meals. Locally, some other gems to look out for include crisp corn and ripe tomatoes.
How to Choose and Store September Produce
When selecting fresh produce, choose fruits and vegetables that feel firm, bright in color, without blemishes, and heavy for their size. Once purchased, store them correctly to prolong their freshness. For instance, keep apples, pears, and bell peppers in the fridge while leaving tomatoes at room temperature.
Fun and Healthy Recipes Using September Produce
Turn the seasonal bounty into delicious, nutritious dishes. Enjoy the crispness of apples in a coleslaw, or savor a comforting eggplant casserole. Get creative with bell peppers by stuffing them with quinoa and veggies. Simple yet inventive recipes will elevate your meals while allowing you to reap the benefits of September produce.
Go a step further with your coleslaw mix and apples and turn it into a delicious Waldorf salad:
- Pour a package of coleslaw mixture into a large bowl.
- Chop up two apples and add to the mix.
- Add a cup of chopped walnuts.
- Add some raisins or red grapes if desired.
- Select a ready-made dressing or make your own and add it to taste.
- You may also want to add about a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Mix all ingredients well, refrigerate for at least an hour, and enjoy.
You could add some chicken to the salad to make it a meal or serve it as a side dish with burgers.
5 Healthy Recommendations for September Produce
Take a look at these suggestions to make the most of your autumn produce:
- Serve pears with cottage cheese for a healthy salad option.
- Plums make delicious jellies. Both plums and pears provide fiber and vitamins.
- After husking and washing sweet corn, break your ears of corn in two and par-boil them for four to five minutes. After they cool, freeze them in protective bags. When ready for more corn, grill them and serve with butter or elote sauce. In addition to terrific flavor, corn also provides antioxidants.
- Use your abundance of tomatoes for spaghetti sauce or salsa.
- Don't forget about your favorite recipes that call for eggplant. In fact, this vegetable boasts a high concentration of the antioxidant nasunin, which protects brain cell membranes.
Senior Helpers Can Assist With Meal Planning and Preparation
Eating produce in season is a delightful and nutritious way to experience the changing seasons. Why not try some recipes or follow our recommendations to savor what September offers? If you reside in Cayce, Columbia, Lexington, or West Columbia, don't hesitate to contact us today at Senior Helpers Lexington, SC, for more advice on maintaining a healthy diet.
Our experienced and compassionate staff would love to talk to you about our in-home care services for seniors and their families, like Personal Care and Wellness Watch.