Harvest of the Month: Herbs
Perennial herbs are one of our first garden harvests in the spring, and they add much-needed freshness to our plates. In the school garden, we find that students are so eager to taste these...
Harvest of the Month: Cabbage
This February we celebrate our love of cabbage, a versatile vegetable that stores well through the coldest months of winter.
Growing cabbage is a practice in patience. It is often sown between early spring and...
Harvest of the Month: Potatoes
This January we are celebrating potatoes, a stalwart in the garden and the pantry. There are some records that suggest potatoes have been cultivated by humans for 10,000 years! Potatoes are also the first...
Harvest of the Month: Winter squash
If you show a child a picture of a pumpkin, chances are they can easily identify the round, orange fruit that is ubiquitous with fall. But show them any other type of winter squash,...
Harvest of the Month: Root Vegetables
As the weather gets colder and fresh produce becomes harder to find, root vegetables are my go-to for an easy, healthy meal. Because they grow underground, they absorb lots of nutrients from the soil, and...
Harvest of the Month: Cranberries
When you think of crops that Massachusetts is known for, cranberries are probably one of the first to come to mind. Cranberries require specific conditions to grow — acidic soil, a constant supply of fresh water, and a...
Harvest of the Month: Tomatoes
Back in 2011, Island Grown Schools started a Harvest of the Month program to highlight a locally available seasonal crop each month in school cafeterias and grocery stores. The goal was to teach children,...
Harvest of the Month: Jiló
Jiló is a type of eggplant that’s often used in Brazilian cooking. About the size of a large egg, jiló turns from green to red as it ripens, though it’s traditionally eaten while still...
Harvest of the Month: Summer squash
Don’t leave your car unlocked in July — someone might fill it with zucchini. When summer squash is in season, it’s really in season. You won’t be able to get away from it, and...
Harvest of the Month: Salad greens
This June we’re celebrating one of the first crops to poke through the soil in the spring — salad greens! Salad greens are easy to grow yourself, and by planting a row of seeds...
Harvest of the Month: Herbs
One of the best things about spring is the return of fresh flowers and food from our gardens and local farmstands. Perennial herbs are one of the first plants to return, and using them...
Harvest of the Month: Seafood
As a child, I spent a lot of time with my dad on his oyster farm in Katama. I didn’t enjoy oysters as much as steamers or quahogs, but I slurped them down with...
Harvest of the Month: Eggs
It’s March, which means spring is on the way! The weather might say otherwise, but the proof is in the crocuses beginning to sprout, and sunlight that lasts past 6 pm. This time of...
Harvest of the Month: Potatoes
This January we’re celebrating potatoes, a hearty and filling root vegetable that can be grown in the summer and stored all winter long. In our area, potatoes are usually planted in early spring and...
Harvest of the Month: Root Vegetables
As the weather gets colder and fresh, local produce becomes harder to find. Root vegetables are my go-to to add veggies to a winter meal. Because they grow underground, they absorb lots of nutrients from...
Harvest of the Month: Whole Grains
Get the new year off to a healthy start by incorporating more whole grains into your diet this month! A whole grain contains three parts — the bran, germ, and endosperm. Refined grains are...
Harvest of the Month: Jiló
Jiló is a type of eggplant that’s often used in Brazilian cooking. About the size of a large egg, jiló turns from green to red as it ripens, though it’s traditionally eaten while still...
Harvest of the Month: Mushrooms
Why did the mushroom get invited to all the parties? Because he’s a fungi! Mushrooms are also delicious, simple to prepare, and packed with nutrients. They have a uniquely savory flavor while containing nearly...
Harvest of the Month: Dried beans
During the cold winter months, with little fresh local produce available, it can be a challenge to eat healthy. Dried beans are available year-round in our grocery stores, and are a delicious source of...
Harvest of the Month: Fermented foods
Fermentation is responsible for some of the most delicious foods and beverages around, like kefir, yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, kombucha, sourdough bread, tempeh, miso, and more. Throughout history, fermentation has been used to prolong...