2 4 1 Calling All Foodies :)

Tonight I have a super cool combo post..

This combines two of my loves and remains true to my goal for this blog as it is very certainly "a green thing"! Green things - that is love 1. This post is also about FOOD :) and that is love 2.

First, a trend, a thought, and a really neat link.

Any of my fellow foodies will surely agree that one of the hottest trends in cooking right now, and for some time already, is cooking with LOCAL, SEASONAL INGREDIENTS.

It just makes sense!

Many of the best and most successful chefs and restaurant owners on Long Island are already implementing this philosophy into their menus. e.g. Whitecap, Four Seasons, Harvest, The Lake House... Using local and seasonal ingredients creates a Win-Win situation there's no doubt about it!

• Local and Seasonal produce is obviously fresher which translates to better flavor and food. Fresher ingredients also last longer in your refrigerator.
• You support your local growers or farmers, and they support you! (by bringing you truly fresh, real food that is usually organic or at least less chemically treated and therefore healthier for you and the environment).
• Chefs don't have to make an effort to "fake" anything (think simple tomato salads in December when they just aren't growing here..). As a result, chefs are able to put their efforts to a more efficient use i.e. creating a creative, colorful, exciting, delicious dish.

I highly encourage all of this. There are so many reasons why it's better to use what is seasonal and local, and I am hard pressed to think of any reasons why you shouldn't. Did I mention the best part of the day? You will be reducing your carbon footprint because it's environmentally friendly! It cuts down on transportation, and therefore wastes less gas, fuel, energy etc.. you get it.




SO! If this interests you, please check out this awesome link. You are able to enter your State and Season of the year to find out exact what is local and fabulous near you, at any time!




NRDC: Eat Local
(PLEASE SEE BELOW for our Current Local Long Island List from this webpage)



Next, once you have purchased all the ingredients from your recently created, smart, and inspired grocery list, if you're looking for even more inspiration, think about checking out this Mario Batalli - recommended cookbook for some recipes!



YOU CAN GET IT HERE

It's all about using local, seasonal, sustainable ingredients and besides, let's face it, when it comes to food...if Mario's "IN" so am I! (And, you should be too!)

What's Fresh

New York: Early September

• Apples
• Beans
• Beets
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Celery
• Corn
• Cucumber
• Eggplant
• Grapes
• Lettuce
• Melons
• Onions
• Peaches
• Pears
• Peppers
• Plums and prunes
• Potatoes
• Pumpkins
• Radishes
• Raspberries
• Spinach
• Summer squash
• Tomatoes
• Turnips
• Winter Squash