Knowing what’s in season these days is anyone’s guess, with food shipped around the globe for most of us we’re never without and drowning in choice. But should we be eating everything all the time?
Our top chefs and food experts would say no, so would your nutritionist, financial planner and environmental advocate. When it comes to food we should be eating what’s abundant in the fields of local farmers, food that’s full of flavour, picked daily and celebrated for it’s simplicity. An ethos that’s championed by the worlds leaving chefs. But how does that work in reality?
A seasonal set box from the fields of local farmers is the best way to eat a seasonally. But it means ditching the shopping list and trusting or at least starting it after you’ve got your box.
It means trusting your farmers to grow what’s good and going with your instincts when it comes to cooking. Something we all need to do a little more of.
So here are our top tips for getting the most out of your seasonal box.
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Trust – that farmers are growing what’s best.
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Meal Planning – plan your meals based on what’s in the box. When you unpack your box set it out and have a good look at what’s there, then plan your week.
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Extras – if you’re anything like us we eat more than our fair share of fruit and veg, I know a standard box won’t get us through the week. Our regular fruit and veg budget is $100 so a $65 set box is not going to stretch. Don’t get caught out just be realistic with what you eat.
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Experiment – the best way to learn is trial and error. Don’t be frightened to fail and learn when it comes to substituting ingredients and playing around with recipes.
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Trust– fresh local produce tastes amazing and is full of flavour so keep it simple and let the ingredients talk for themselves.
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Storage– store your produce so it lasts. This means wrapping greens and herbs in a damp towel, keeping most fruit in the fridge and all other vegetables in the veggie draw in the fridge. If products aren’t looking their best cook up a soup or pasta sauce and freeze it for those busy nights!
Enjoy and love eating seasonally especially when fruit, vegetables and groceries are delivered to your door!
