Eastern Carolina Parent - April 2009 - (Page 16) Cook’s Corner Spring Cooking is Spring is finally here-that special time of year where cooking, gardening, working in the yard, or renewing a healthy lifestyle becomes a priority again. As for me, spring is all about the food. Our diets change with the seasons. We shed our bulky winter clothes and a habit of rich, heavy meals for a pair of shorts and a diet of lighter, fresh foods. Spring is the best time to head to your local farmer’s market, and when it comes to cooking, there are countless reasons to shop locally. A farmer’s market offers more than locally grown flowers, fresh produce, and garden plants. You can also find seafood, baked goods, and the wares of local artisans while helping your community at the same time. Some of the best foods available in Eastern North Carolina during Spring include asparagus, potatoes, lettuce, Lean and Green! onions, broccoli, cabbage and of course, strawberries. Below are great reasons for shopping at local markets and two fun and delicious recipes that highlight asparagus and strawberries. Good food starts with good ingredients, and when buying produce, fresh is best. Food bought from a local farmer was usually picked within the last day or two, and it is full of flavor. Recent studies show the average distance from farm to plate is 1,500 miles. Many fruits and vegetables in grocery stores were picked green and shipped from places such as California, South America, and Europe. Traveling that Arendell Parrott Academy Largest Independent K-12 College Preparatory School In Eastern North Carolina For Over 40 Years kind of distance means foods will lose flavor and the consumer will gain a significant price increase because of fuel and shipping. Those products are bred to be handled for shipping. Local produce is grown for the taste. Eating locally also means eating seasonally. An important tip for shopping at a farmer’s market is to know your seasons and what produce to expect for each time of year. The grower can tell you when to expect certain fruits and vegetables and what produce will be coming to the market in upcoming weeks. Ask the farmer about his produce. He may have great ideas for recipes and how to store your foods. Local foods are more nutritious and green (think environmentally friendly). Locally grown produce is not only tastier, but it is healthier. The longer produce sits during shipping or on grocery store shelves, the less nutritional value it retains. Produce loses its vitality as sugars turn into starches and plant cells shrink. Local, fresh produce is more nutritious because its trip from the farm to the consumer has been short and timely. We can minimize environmental impacts by avoiding products with excessive packaging or those which require significant travel time before reaching your dinner plate! These tips will contribute to a healthier you and a cleaner environment. Now accepting applications for the 2009-2010 school year. Headmaster: Dr. L. Stephen Mazingo 1901 Dobbs Farm Road PO Box 1297 Kinston, NC 28503 www.parrottacademy.org 16 Eastern Carolina Parent : April 2009 Admissions: Julie Rogers 252-522-4222 ext. 202 jrogers@parrottacademy.org Transportation available from Goldsboro, New Bern and Greenville. Buying local helps the local economy. Money spent at your local farmer’s market stays in the community. Only a very small percentage of money spent at the large www.easterncarolinaparent.com - Founded 1965 - http://www.parrottacademy.org http://www.easterncarolinaparent.com
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