Foodies_Hub

Hey buddy! Tell me what food is in the season where you are.

There are various types of seasonal foods and it is not surprising that other types of fruits and veggies are available all year round. However, the main issue with foods that are available all year round is that they often lack original taste because when such foods are grown under different conditions, they are usually slightly different from food that ripens naturally during its season.
Seasonal farm produce is not only fresher, tastier, and more nutritious than foods that are sourced out of season but they are eco-friendly, especially if they are locally produced.
Knowing which fruits or veggies are in season could save you money. When foods are in season, there’s more of it, which means lots of supermarkets will have deals and offers on surplus organic food which you get to bulk-buy fruit and veg when it’s in season and store in your freezer before it becomes more expensive in later months.
Luckily, October brings forth quite a variety of fruits and vegetables to savor. Knowing what is at its peak during October will guide you when making your shopping list and planning meals. Here’s the list to buy and eat sustainably this month.

CABBAGES

Cabbage is available all year round in most regions but it is best during October. It is an excellent source of Vitamins K, C, and B6. Cabbage is closely related to broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. It can vary in color from green to red and purple, and the leaves can be smooth or crinkled. Cabbage is majorly used for coleslaw and salad. The health benefits of cabbage include protection against radiation, preventing cancer, and reducing heart disease risk.

DATES

Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree, which is grown in many tropical regions of the world. Often associated with Middle Eastern cuisine, dates are somewhat of a superfood that is harvested around this period. Dates are a great source of fiber and potassium and are naturally low in fat. Here in Nigeria, aside from eating dates raw, it is also used as a sweetener in drinks such as zobo drinks, Tigernut drinks, and many more.
So here is a season you get to stock up enough dates for your use.

OKRA

Okra soup is one of the soups you get to eat in October. Okra is typically a southern vegetable, okra falls into that category of “you either love it or hate it.” The dislike is often due to the “slime factor,” which is the texture that appears after the vegetable is cooked. The less cooked okra is, the better it is for you. It’s high in fiber, folate, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. In Nigeria, Okra soup is usually cooked with varieties of fish, especially mackerel, and enjoyed with swallows like fufu, eba, semo and amala. Click this link to see how to cook Okra soup. https://foodieshubs.food.blog/2022/09/20/6-typical-nigerian-breakfast-meals/

PEPPERS AND TOMATOES

September and October are when this vegetable shows its colors. So versatile, peppers can spice up a variety of dishes. This is a season you should stock up your fridge by having blended pepper mix which serves for a longer period. Roasted or fried, peppers are a must in the cook’s fridge.

SWEET POTATOES

Another vegetable that is easily available in October, the sweet potato has gained tremendous popularity over the years for its nutritional value over white potatoes. Not just boiled, sweet potatoes can be cooked as porridge, roasted, or fries, and even incorporated into meat pies or pancakes.

APPLES

Apples belong to those fruits people have forgotten to have a season but they do. There are at least two dozen varieties at their peak in October, including Crispin, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Macoun, and Fuji just to name a few.
Whether you are biting an apple as a snack, extracting its juice, or chopping it up to incorporate in a salad, this season apples that are recently harvested are going to taste the best and improve your recipes.

That’s it! Get your wallet ready and shop to the fullest. I lost my guard in September but in October, I am determined it won’t pass me by. Is it the same for you?

Thanks for Reading

Islamiyah Alimi