Finding fresh food that is locally grown, organic and in season can be difficult, especially during the winter months. During a recent trip to the Abbotsford Farm and Country Market, we came across a great variety of fresh and flavourful local treats that make it easy to eat in season.
Oyster Mushrooms
These mushrooms have been used in Chinese medicine from as early as 3 thousand years ago, particularly as a tonic for the immune system. The best-tasting oyster mushrooms are young and tender, and have a subtle peppery flavour. Mature oyster mushrooms are considerably larger and will be chewier and sweeter. Their niacin content is about ten times higher than any other vegetables and the folic acid in oyster mushrooms can help to cure anemia. Oyster mushrooms are rich in protein and vitamin C, and contain lovastatin, which can lower your cholesterol level. The low sodium to potassium ratio of these mushrooms makes them suitable for people with high blood pressure.
Local Supplier: Richmond Specialty Mushroom Farms
Chanterelle Mushrooms
These wild golden fungi have a firm flesh with a subtle fruity flavour. Chanterelle mushrooms are in season from May to November and cannot be cultivated by farmers. They make an excellent side to scrambled eggs or can be great simply served on toast. They are also a popular, and delicious, addition to creamy pasta sauces. These mushrooms are extremely low in fat, high in protein and are an excellent source of vitamin D and B. Mushrooms provide a variety of nutrients including potassium, a mineral that regulates blood pressure and the contractions of the heart muscle. Chanterelle mushrooms are believed to help improve your immune system.
Local Supplier: Anderson Organic Farm
Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms have a very rich earthy flavour and chewy texture. Generally, this mushroom is called a crimini when small and a portobello when its cap has grown to about four to six inches in diameter. One medium portobello mushroom supplies 21 percent of the recommended daily intake of selenium and has as much potassium as a medium-sized banana. These mushrooms are packed with antioxidants and are often considered to be a safeguard against cancer. Studies show that eating them regularly has been linked to a lower risk of breast and prostate cancer. Incredibly, most mushrooms retain their nutrients and their antioxidant levels when they are cooked.
Local Supplier: Richmond Specialty Mushroom Farms
Radishes
This pungent root crop is considered to be nature’s detoxifier; it is a blood purifier and very good for the liver and stomach. Radishes also help wash away the toxins accumulated in the kidneys. They are also effective in relieving the burning feeling some experience during urinating and in healing hemorrhoids. These vegetables are an excellent dietary option for those trying to lose weight because they are very filling and low in calories. Smashed raw radish is an excellent facial cleanser and helps to heal dry skin, rash and cracks. Radishes can also be used to treat insect bites and bee stings because the juice works to reduce pain and swelling, and soothe the affected area. They are also an excellent mouth and breath freshener.
Local Supplier: Friesen Farm
Butternut Squash
Succulent enough to warrant the name “butternut”, this gourd is the perfect addition to any soup. It provides significant amounts of potassium, important for bone health, and vitamin B6, essential for the proper functioning of both the nervous and immune systems. In particular, this squash boasts very high levels of beta-carotene, which has been identified as a deterrent against breast cancer and loss of vision due to age. It is also a supporter of healthy lung development in fetuses and newborns. Low in fat, butternut squash delivers an ample dose of dietary fiber, making it an exceptionally heart-friendly choice. But it’s this squash’s tangerine hue that indicates butternut’s most noteworthy health perk.
The color signals an abundance of powerhouse nutrients known as carotenoids, shown to protect against heart disease. As if this weren’t enough, butternut squash may have anti-inflammatory effects because of its high antioxidant content. Incorporating more of this hearty winter staple into your diet could help reduce risk of inflammation-related disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
Local Supplier: Abundant Acre Family Farm
Leeks
Leeks have a very mild onion-like flavour, but they aren’t nearly as pungent. A good source of dietary fiber, leeks also contain substantial amounts of folic acid, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. Easier to digest than standard onions, leeks have laxative, antiseptic, diuretic, and anti-arthritic properties. Using leeks in soups, stews and other dishes can be a good way to make certain that a diet is healthy and wholesome. Studies indicate that leeks, as well as most other plants in the onion family, are highly beneficial when consumed in moderation (two to seven times per week).
Not only have leeks been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol levels in the body, they also help to keep down high blood pressure. Leeks are believed to fight cancer, especially colon and prostate cancer. They contain compounds which inhibit carcinogenic development and also restrict the spread of cancer. Leeks also contain a substance which has been shown to reduce ovarian cancer in women.
Local Supplier: Abundant Acre Family Farm
Green Tomatoes
Most people opt for ripe red tomatoes, but green tomatoes can add a unique punch of flavour to a meal. There are many recipes for fried green tomatoes, and these tomatoes are often used in making exquisite chutneys and relishes. Not fully ripened yet, green tomatoes still pack a vitamin C punch.
Consuming plenty of vitamin C may help you strengthen your immune system so your body is able to fight off colds, flu and other illnesses more easily. Vitamin C is also crucial for the health of your teeth, gums, bones and skin. Green tomatoes also contain three times the amount of calcium as red tomatoes. Green tomatoes are a healthy source of fiber, which the intestinal and digestive systems rely on for good health. Never eat raw green tomatoes because they have a toxin that could potentially be poisonous.
Local Supplier: Friesen Farm
Carrots
This root is a popular consumed vegetable loved for its crunchy texture and sweet taste. It is often touted for being rich in vitamin A, making it good for improving eyesight. However, the health benefits of carrots do not stop there. Regular consumption of carrots reduces cholesterol levels and works to prevent heart related problems. Carrots are a good source of antioxidant agents, but most of the benefits of carrot can be attributed to its fiber and beta carotene content.
Beta-carotene consumption has been linked to reduced risk of several cancers, notably lung cancer. Not only are carrots great to eat, but also to drink. Carrot juice is great for improving stomach and gastrointestinal health. Interestingly, carrot oil can also be used to moisturize dry skin, making it softer, smoother and firmer.
Local Supplier: Anderson Organic Farm
Parsnips
A parsnip picked in September and simply boiled is bound to be bland, mushy and unappetizing, but leave the roots in the ground until Christmas time or even the following spring, and it becomes a different vegetable altogether—sweet, nutty and delicious. That’s why parsnips are the perfect vegetable for the winter. Parboiled and then oven-roasted until crisp-soft and caramelized, puréed alone or with potatoes, simmered slowly in a subtly spiced soup or hearty stew, parsnips are as versatile as any common vegetable. They are easily incorporated into everyday cooking as a flavourful alternative to potatoes.
Parsnips are an excellent source of fibre and help to lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar at a healthy level. They are also a good source of folic acid and vitamin B, both of which are essential to pregnant woman as they help reduce the risk of certain birth defects in babies. Folic acid also plays a role in reducing heart disease and may help prevent dementia and osteoporosis.
Local Supplier: Abundant Acre Family Farm
For The Love of Food and Flowers
Born out of a love and respect for nature, Culinary Blossom’s gourmet products combine fresh fruits and berries from local farms with organic edible flowers. From fruit and flower teas to roasted spiced nuts to exquisite jellies and chutneys, all these products are handcrafted in South Langley. Their philosophy is simple: if it’s organic, sustainable, local, fresh and delicious, it’s on the menu. Best of all, these specialty products make the perfect holiday gifts.
Local Supplier: Culinary Blossom
culinaryblossoms.com
Why Choose Locally Grown Organic Foods?
Taste the Difference.
Taste is definitely an individual matter, but more and more consumers and chefs across the nation are choosing organic food to prepare because they believe it has superior taste and quality. Organic food is grown in well-balanced soil, so it makes sense that the produce from these healthy plants have an improved taste. Further, farmers who sell direct to local consumers do not have to worry about packing, shipping and shelf-life issues. So eating locally and organically can ensure that you are eating high-quality, fresh, nutritious and tasty food.
Fewer Pesticides In Your Body
Conventional, or non-organic farmers, spray all kinds of pesticides onto the food you eventually put into your body. However, organic farmers rely on natural pest control and do not use toxic pesticides or seeds that have been genetically modified. Organic farming is easy on the Earth and does not harm the ground, water or air.
Reduce Global Warming
Some studies indicate that the average fresh food item on our dinner table travels about 2,500 kilometres to get there. Buying locally produced food eliminates the need for all that fuel-guzzling transportation.
Help the Economy
The cost of transporting food is high, so farmers who sell food to local customers receive more value for their product. Not only are you supporting local businesses, but eating locally encourages the use of local farmland for farming while keeping development in check.
