Food in Season
Gourmet Guide
Never pass up the opportunity to order fruits and vegetables at the height of their seasons. They are at their best in terms of taste, appearance, nutrients and price. Here is a peak-season calendar for some popular produce items...
January- broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, spinach
February- avocados, broccoli, sweet potatoes, spinach
March- avocados, broccoli, sweet peas, spinach
April- artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, avocados, sweet peas, strawberries, spinach
May- artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, papayas, sweet peas, rhubarb, strawberries
June- beets, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, corn, mangoes, raspberries, strawberries, watermelons
July- beets, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, corn, eggplants, nectarines, okra, peaches, plums, raspberries, tomatoes, watermelons.
August- beets, blackberries, corn, cantaloupes, eggplants, honeydews, nectarines, okra, peaches, plums, tomatoes, watermelons
September- beets, cauliflower, corn eggplants, grapes, honeydews, okra tomatoes.
October- beets broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, grapes, pomegranates.
November- broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, pomegranates, sweet potatoes.
December- broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, sweet potatoes.
- Bananas and carrots are good anytime.
- Eat oysters. Midsummer oysters may be spawning and therefore less plump and more watery than usual.
Menu Planning Guide
Great Menu Planning Guide! Put together the perfect four to seven course menu with these great tips! Learn the five rules for a balanced menu, plus much more.
Read MoreWine Tasting Etiquette
Once it is poured into the proper glass, it’s time to evaluate and enjoy the wine. Evaluating wine involves four basic steps – looking, swirling, smelling, and tasting.
- Step #1 – Look. Holding the wine glass up against a white background, such as a napkin or table cloth, to evaluate its color and clarity. Red wines should range in color from deep purple to brick red. White wines should range in color from lemon gold to golden amber.
- Step #2 – Swirl. Swirl the wine in your glass to aerate it.
- Step #3 – Smell. Put your nose in the glass and take a deep breath. Older wines should have subtler aromas than younger ones.
- Step #4 – Taste. To taste the wine, fill your mouth about ½ full and subtly swish the wine around.