Eating seasonal and local foods is a great way to boost your nutrient rich options! As foods age and travel they loose some of their nutritional value and flavor.
Help your local farmers, local economy, and you by buying local and seasonal produce.
We love to eat seasonally and have learned to like foods that we weren't so open to at first. OK... I'll say it! There are certain foods I thought were gross! Straight up gross! But...I've learned that I like some of them after all, depending on how they are prepared. Like Beets!! I was a card carrying beet hater and now I like them roasted or grated raw on salad. - See...we can all change! PS, I'm NOT eating them pickled -gag! It's a start.
Right now in North Carolina cilantro, asparagus, arugula, broccoli, collards, and mushrooms are some of the items that are in season now. Another one is Swiss Chard, also called Chard.
Chard? What do I do with it?? What is it? Chard is a leafy green with bright colorful stems and veins. They are slightly bitter when raw, but sweeter when cooked. Both the stem and leaves are edible.
I like to use the leaves in anything I'd use spinach in. I love a chard quesadilla!! While you can eat the stems, I rarely eat them with the leaves, but will roast them on their own.
Give it a try! Here are some recipes to get you started.
Tip: Toss in to anything you'd use spinach in -really! Lasagna, pasta, quesadillas, salads, greens.
Why eat it?
Chard is nutritious!! Choosing foods low in calories and high in nutrition is a win and Swiss chard is a winner! It is packed with Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium, A, C, E, K, Copper, Manganese, Iron, Potassium, plus 3.3 grams protein in 1 cup and 3.7 grams fiber!!! WOW!!
What's in season in your area? Seasonal Food Guide
Enjoy!
Take a pic of your Chard dishes and share tag us on Instagram @lwburbach
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