In this section, I'll be bringing you news of what to look out for in the supermarkets and greengrocers according to seasonality.
Unlike abroad where nowadays almost all food a veg. seems to be available throughout the year , foodstuffs in Israel still very much appear in the shops according to their natural season. In some ways I like this - apart from the fact that it means we don't take things for granted, it gives us a chance to enjoy and adapt our recipes throughout the year according to what's available, keeping the menu 'fresh' and relevant to the season in which it was intended to be eaten.
Unlike abroad where nowadays almost all food a veg. seems to be available throughout the year , foodstuffs in Israel still very much appear in the shops according to their natural season. In some ways I like this - apart from the fact that it means we don't take things for granted, it gives us a chance to enjoy and adapt our recipes throughout the year according to what's available, keeping the menu 'fresh' and relevant to the season in which it was intended to be eaten.
The Strawberry's are back!
Hod Ha'Sharon is famous for its wonderful strawberries. For those of you that missed my newsletter on this subject it can be downloaded from the Newsletter page.
The strawberry season is officially upon us, so anyone that's never tried a Hod Ha'Sharon strawberry can now enjoy them, straight from the fields. The price is currently quite high and only one variety, Rotem, is available. As the season progresses and other types appear, so the price will reduce.
I asked one of the growers why the season this year has started so late. He assured me that the end of November is average - they only plant in September as the days get shorter. They were a bit caught out this year with the first heavy rain which caused some damage, as they hadn't yet had a chance to lay down the necessary protective covers - but overall it should be another good season.
The strawberry season is officially upon us, so anyone that's never tried a Hod Ha'Sharon strawberry can now enjoy them, straight from the fields. The price is currently quite high and only one variety, Rotem, is available. As the season progresses and other types appear, so the price will reduce.
I asked one of the growers why the season this year has started so late. He assured me that the end of November is average - they only plant in September as the days get shorter. They were a bit caught out this year with the first heavy rain which caused some damage, as they hadn't yet had a chance to lay down the necessary protective covers - but overall it should be another good season.
Acorn Squash or in Hebrew, literally Chestnut Pumpkin
These were available last week in my tiny local greengrocer on the Magdiel roundabout. Their small size makes them perfect for stuffing. It has a rich and creamy butternut flavor with a slight chestnut undertone. This was a lifesaver when I had to whip up a vegetarian dish at short notice. I roasted it in the oven till softish for about 40 minutes, then cut it in half and filled it with cooked mixed red rice, pine nuts, parsley and zuchini. If it would have been a dairy meal I could have added some parmesan too. Select acorn squash with as much green on the rind as possible.
Stripy (Rosa Bianca) Eggplant
I came across this lovely looking eggplant in Mega recently. The taste was sweeter and creamier than the usual dark mauve-skinned eggplant. The inner flesh was the usual color with few seeds and the skin was soft and thin.