seasonal produce • Nikki Kuban Minton

What Should I Do With Leftover Pumpkins?

Nikki — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 21:00:44 +0000

Fall is coming to an end but before you throw away those pumpkins, you might want to check out some really delicious ways to cook leftover pumpkins. The “pie pumpkins” or “sugar pumpkins”… these are the smaller ones used for baking/cooking are the pumpkins you want to use. So if you have any you are ready to pitch, maybe check out the link for ways to cook the pumpkin leftovers.

21 Delicious Pumpkin Recipes

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How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree From Scratch

Nikki — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 15:10:42 +0000

Pumpkins are a favorite during the fall season and with so many pumpkin recipes available, sometimes it’s hard to make a decision. Today I’m sharing a pumpkin recipe that is a staple in my household especially when canned pumpkin is hard to find. Pumpkin Puree is simple to make as long as you know which pumpkin you should use. Pie pumpkins or sugar pumpkins are the ones you are looking for and make the best homemade pumpkin puree!! Check out the link below for the steps on how to make your own pumpkin puree.

How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree From Scratch

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Healthy Zucchini Recipes

Nikki — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 15:00:39 +0000

Zucchini is one of those veggies that is extremely versatile and can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner!! It is also very healthy for you, inexpensive, but easy to grow in your own garden if you choose. So many healthy recipe options out there that I had a hard time choosing, so I found 60 of the best ones!!! Check out Country Living for a variety of zucchini recipes that are prepared many different ways both sweet and savory.

https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g2524/zucchini-recipes/

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15 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Buying Produce

Nikki — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 15:00:31 +0000

Summer brings sunshine, picnics, graduations, swimming, and barbecues, but it also brings an abundance of fresh produce!! With all the choices of fresh fruits and veggies, where does one begin when choosing the best ones. It’s really important to have a strategy in place on choosing and storing produce so it doesn’t spoil quickly. Check out the link below for 15 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Buying Produce… “some savvy shopping and storage strategies can save you precious dollars, make your purchases last longer, and help you steer clear of bad bacteria so you’ll be more likely to join the fruit- and veggie-rocking ranks.”

15 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Buying Produce

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Summer Produce List (Southeast)

Nikki — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:00:06 +0000

The second summer produce region is the Southeast. In the Southeast region, the weather is a little warmer so the produce available may reflect that, but there is also some overlap from the Northeast list. So many different options for fresh produce this summer and that makes me so happy!! What are some of your favorite summer dishes? Throughout the summer months, I will be sharing some of our favorites with you all.

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Sweet Potato Pie Shakeology

Nikki — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 21:00:35 +0000

With sweet potatoes being in season for the month of January, I thought this recipe would be a great one for the winter months. Sweet Potato Pie Shakeology tastes just like sweet potatoes with a hint of cinnamon and orange flavoring. It’s so creamy and delicious, and the sweet potato really makes this shake a hearty meal!!

1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup ice
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
½ baked medium sweet potato
1 tsp. finely grated orange peel (orange zest)
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground allspice
1 dash ground nutmeg

Mix all ingredients together and Enjoy!!

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Health Benefits of Rapini

Nikki — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 16:00:01 +0000

The next produce item is a close relative of broccoli with a slightly different appearance and taste. Rapini, also called, broccoli rabe, is a cool season crop and one of the most popular greens in Italy. Rapini has a slightly bitter, peppery taste, and all parts of the plant are edible. Rapini is a low calorie vegetable, that is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, and glucosinolates, as well as iron, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Rapini has been known to reduce cardiovascular risk, improve bone strength, help manage blood sugar levels, and can reduce inflammation in arthritis.

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Apple Variety Chart

Nikki — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 19:00:58 +0000

It’s apple picking season, and what better way to spend a gorgeous fall day!! I love all apples, but with so many different varieties, I sometimes wonder which ones would be better for cooking or eating raw. I found this handy apple variety chart below that is a great guide. Whether you are picking the apples off trees or just picking them out in the grocery store, it helps clarify flavor, color, texture, best uses, and season. Happy apple picking!!

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September Produce List

Nikki — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:00:31 +0000

The month of September has arrived and fall is almost here. With a new season quickly approaching, it’s time to check out the new produce items that you may start to see in the stores. There are some pretty big changes from summer to fall, but still a lot of fruits and veggies available. Be on the lookout for some really great recipes this month!!

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Health Benefits of Bell Peppers

Nikki — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 15:00:21 +0000

The first produce item I would like to explore are bell peppers. Also called, sweet peppers or capsicums, bell peppers come in various colors such as red, yellow, orange, and green which is unripe and can have more of a bitter taste. Bell peppers are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids found in relatively high amounts in bell peppers may improve eye health. Bell peppers are also high in iron which help in improving eye health and reducing the risk of anemia.

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