Where to Go to Eat Local and Seasonal This Fall

The crisp fall air and turning leaves aren’t the only indication of seasons changing, you also have the wonderful new fall fruits and vegetables making an appearance at your local farmers’ markets. This is the time start taking advantage of wonderful fall roots vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes, parsnips and carrots. You can also make broccoli, pumpkins and apples the stars of your fall menu.

Why Buy Local and Seasonal

Buying seasonally ensures you are selecting produce that is at its peak freshness meaning that it has more of vitamins, minerals and protective antioxidants. If you can combine buying seasonal with also buying local (food and produce that has traveled less that 100 miles to make its way to your table) then you are maximizing freshness, minimizing your carbon footprint and helping local businesses thrive! (and who doesn’t want to help support the local “little guy”).

Where Can You Go to Eat Local and Seasonal?

It’s easy, just check out your local farmers markets and restaurants that specialize in using seasonal and local food. Welch’s and Zagat made it easy for you with their “taste the harvest 2012 guide” – see www.welchs.com/zagat Something I didn’t know before working with Welch’s is that they are a family farmer owned company. They celebrate the harvest as their most important time of the year. This year, they launched the guide with Zagat to inspire “seasonal and local” across the U.S.

My D.C. Restaurant Picks in Zagat

In D.C. I checked out Restaurant Nora and tried their amazing Winter Squash Soup. Nora’s is the first certified organic restaurant in America! — how cool is that? (This means that 95% or more of everything that you eat at the restaurant has been produced by certified organic growers and farmers all who share in Nora’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.)

Then I made my way to Blue Duck Tavern. Their menu is very cool because they list the sourcing for each menu item. Known for their crabcakes, that is no surprise to see them from Chesapeake Bay. I paired them with collard greens from a farm in Pennsylvania.

 

Check out my Let’s Talk Live DC tv appearance featuring the D.C. Restaurant Picks!

My D.C. Farmers Market Picks in Zagat

• Takoma – I live there so it is easy to get to, of course. It’s a great size to get what you need without being overwhelming!
• Dupont – It’s huge and exciting! Worth the visit
• Eastern Market – What can I say, it’s the closest in D.C. to a NYC lifestyle in my book

Have Fun at the Farmers Market

Today’s farmers’ markets are far from another grocery run, they are a social destination. Make it an event – take your family, stroll through all farmers’ stalls and enjoy! This is definitely a #MeFirst and Family First move — it fills your “fun” bucket of ‘me first’ because

• Make your farmer your friend. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. How is their food grown? What, if any, pesticides are used? Farmers love to talk about their growing processes and you become an informed consumer. Frequently local farmers don’t make the financial investment get certified organic, but many of their processes are virtually organic without the official stamp of approval.
• Enjoy the samples! Take advantage of the opportunity to sample the wares of various farmers. Many put samples out to taste or you can always ask if they would let you taste before you buy.
• Have breakfast. Many farmers’ markets have coffee, crepes and freshly baked breads that you can purchase and eat while your peruse and shop.
• Enjoy the entertainment. Most farmers’ markets have added musical entertainment by local musicians or cooking demonstrations. Some even have educational programs by local Registered Dietitians.

Now that you have harvested your bounty, don’t let it go to waste!

You need to be proactive about recipes that feature seasonal items. The Welch’s Taste the Harvest Guide has great recipes for seasonal eating. There are several cookbooks that are seasonal eating-focused. Many farmers also offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) packages that provide a monthly harvest share and provide accompanying recipes.

The most important rule of seasonal and local eating is to enjoy your food! Enjoy knowing where your food came from. Enjoying knowing that you are doing something good for your body and the environment and most of all, enjoy the succulent tastes of the season.

Disclosure: I worked with Welch’s on a TV segment in D.C. to launch the Zagat guide. However, I was not compensated for writing this post.

Advertisement