Buy LocalScreenshot

Admittedly, I am late to the party where seasonal eating is concerned - indeed I was unaware of the term until very recently but I am already enthusiastically embracing the philosophy.  And having a bit of a giggle as I write:

If he were able to read it, this post would elicit either a gigantic eye-roll or a hearty chuckle from Cam’s dad!  When Lorne was a lad, growing up on his dad’s dairy farm in Valencia, ON, seasonal eating simply meant that he and his nine siblings were sent out to dig potatoes and gather whatever was ripe in the garden and take it inside to the kitchen table.  Aunt Peg told us many versions of that tale over the years, in enough detail that I can easily picture the Perrault kiddos out in the field doing their assigned chores.

Contemporarily, seasonal eating is intentionally choosing a diet rich in fresh, local fruits and vegetables, purchased and eaten at the time of year when they have naturally reached optimal ripeness and nutrition.  Seasonal eating typically encompasses the “buy local” credo — supporting local farmers whilst reducing our footprint by not shipping our food long distances.

Essex County is an intensely agricultural region.  On the same latitude as northern California and Tuscany, we have one of the longest growing seasons in Canada.  Whereas Northumberland County (where we lived for many years), also agricultural, primarily produced crops - corn, soy beans, canola - Essex produces an abundance of produce, both in the fields and in the greenhouses.  

There are acres upon acres of greenhouses here in Essex, hydroponically growing berries, vegetables, flowers and, in enormous quantities, tomatoes - every variety and size imaginable. Most of the greenhouses are huge corporate operations, growing produce that gets packed and shipped directly to grocery stores.  But, drift along any of our rural backroads and you’ll find a thriving community of family-owned farms, and many of those have farm gate, honour stands showcasing their freshly picked field produce, herbs, possibly some free range eggs and, if you’re really lucky, some homemade preserves, honey and baking.  Those are the very best places to shop.  Promise!  Stopping and shopping gives you access to the abundance of Ontario agriculture, and the opportunity to support the hardworking farm families that grew and harvested the food. There’s nothing tastier that farm-to-fork dining!

Be prepared to be surprised!  Early this spring, at one of our local stalls, I spotted a basket of green beans, which we love, and immediately made a bee-line for them.  Except, they weren’t beans at all but this intriguingly weird, long, curly, spiky vegetable I’d never seen before.  Turns out they were garlic scapes.  Delicious in salad, sautéed (with Swiss Chard!), and in pasta sauces.  It has a milder flavour than bulb garlic but the same delightful aroma.  Next time you’re at a farm gate stall and see something new and different, ask about it - farmers are only too happy to extol the virtues of their produce.  Keep an open mind and your taste buds will be rewarded.

Garlic ScapesScreenshot
Garlic Scapes

Also be prepared for the huge selection available. Besides all the usual suspects, there are heirloom vegetables and other, lesser-known species that aren’t carried by the big supermarket chains. These are a few of the fruits and vegetables we’ve had during the past week - all locally grown:

• garlic scapes
• flat (Romano) beans
• small white turnips
• Swiss chard
• lettuce(s)
• onions
• tomatoes
• field strawberries
• mini, tri-coloured, sweet peppers
• peaches - yes, already!

Also be prepared for the intensely happy, social aspect of farm gate shopping.  Very seldom will you be the only visitor.  The growers' stalls have become gathering places for  locals and tourists who are passionate about finding and eating a wide variety of top quality, fresh, healthy food. No one ever seems to be in a rush and conversations about food and recipes abound.  People seem to be more selective about where and how their food is gown and sourced so they enjoy making a connection with the farmers.

Next time you and your family are enjoying a rural ramble, take a crop tour or follow a farm gate trail.  Regardless of what you call your adventure, you’ll enjoy the pastoral landscape, and come home with an agricultural bounty - fruits and veggies, cider, honey and maple syrup, pickles, jams, eggs, fresh-cut flowers and maybe some baked goods. Bon appétit!

’Til next time, y’all…