Summer is the perfect time of year to indulge in fresh fruit and vegetables, and considering the abundance of farmers’ markets in Calgary, there’s no reason to buy greenhouse vegetables from grocery stores in August. Before fall rolls around again, take advantage of the seasonal fruit and vegetables available at the farmers’ markets across the city.
Fruit To Buy Now
Raspberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Apples
Blueberries
Cherries
Plums
Melons
Vegetables To Buy Now
Broccoli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Corn
Green beans
Sweet peppers
How to Choose a Good Piece of Seasonal Fruit
Even when fruit is in season, picking the perfect piece is a skill. To choose the best raspberries this August, look for berries that look plump, firm and dry. Once you’ve brought them home, wash them and keep them in a moisture-proof container for up to 3 days.
The trick to purchasing delicious nectarines is to make sure they have smooth skin that is orange-yellow in colour. Nectarines that are too ripe will be soft and likely they will have rough skin. If your nectarines are still a little unripe, store them in a brown paper bag.
Buying good peaches is bit more of a challenge, even when they’re in season at farmers’ markets. A good peach will be as hard as a tennis ball-it will ripen in a few days-and it should feel heavy for its size. The best peaches will also have a reddish hue and will smell like a peach.
If you’re not sure where to go to buy your seasonal produce, check out a full list of many of the farmers’ markets in Calgary.