In recent events, large supermarket chains such as Tesco, Asda and Aldi have been hit with limited amounts of stock due to the bad weather across Europe and Africa during farming season.
The cost-of-living crisis is ultimately taking its toll on the industry too; the soring electricity prices across Europe has affected any greenhouse growth, resulting to our typical house salad favourites running low on the mainstream supermarket’s shelves.
This supply issue is said to be resolved in the upcoming weeks, so you can see in Spring with your usual favourite salad dishes.
Hisense are here to guide you on what fruit and vegetables should be available to you in the upcoming months, and how to keep these at their optimum, for longer. This will help both reduce waste and spending.
It is important to pay attention to what foods are in season; they are more likely to be nutritionally dense due to the natural nature of their growth. A study shown that a broccoli grown in season, had double the amount of vitamin C in comparison to one that was grown out of season.
With that being said, the in-season fruits and veg are also more likely to taste richer, be more cost-effective and kinder to the planet.*
According to the veg society, these are the fruit and vegetables in season for the upcoming months; take this as an opportunity to try new foods and recipes, whilst also nourishing your body and saving extra pennies!
April
Artichoke, Beetroot, Carrots, Chicory, New Potatoes, Kale, Morel Mushrooms, Parsnips, Radishes, Rhubarb, Rocket, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Watercress.
Meal idea: leek and potato soup with kale – A simple, quick dinner to have on those rainier days!
May
Artichoke, Asparagus, Aubergine, Beetroot, Chicory, Chillies, Elderflowers, Lettuce, New Potatoes, Peas, Peppers, Radishes, Rhubarb, Rocket, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Sweetheart Cabbage, Watercress.
Meal idea: take the opportunity of the asparagus and aubergine to make a crunchy, spring salad.
June
Asparagus, Aubergine, Beetroot, Blackcurrants, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cherries, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes, Cucumber, Elderflowers, Gooseberries, Lettuce, Marrow, New Potatoes, Peas, Peppers, Radishes, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Rocket, Runner Beans, Samphire, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweetheart Cabbage, Swiss Chard, Tayberries, Turnips, Watercress.
Meal idea: June welcomes many new fruits into the playing field, take your favourites and mix for a sweet, filling smoothie that you can have on the go!
July
Aubergine, Beetroot, Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Blueberries, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cherries, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes, Cucumber, Gooseberries, Greengages, Fennel, French Beans, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Loganberries, New Potatoes, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Rocket, Runner Beans, Samphire, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweetheart Cabbage, Swish Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress.
Meal idea: use this assortment of vegetables to make a veggie chilli, a wholesome meal with plenty of vitamins.
August
Aubergine, Beetroot, Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cherries, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes, Cucumber, Damsons, Fennel, French Beans, Garlic, Greengages, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Loganberries, Mangetout, Marrow, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Plums, Pumpkin, Radishes, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Rocket, Runner Beans, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweetcorn, Sweetheart Cabbage, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Watercress, White Cabbage.
Meal idea: Swiss chard Gratin, with new potatoes and a tomato and mozzarella salad.
Most of these fruits can be kept in your fridge (in your crispier drawer). This is the perfect environment for your fruit and veg. It is a dedicated area which provides an ideal environment for your fruit to live in and separates from the rest of the produce in your fridge, so there is limited room for cross contamination, and spoiling your fresh stuff.
It is worth noting that some fruits and vegetables cannot be paired together; it could lead to them spoiling earlier. For example, you should keep your banana’s separate to any other fruits. They release ethylene, which results in reducing the shelf life of neighbouring fruit and veg.
According to eating well.com* The likes of cucumber, garlic, lemon, limes, oranges, sweet potatoes, and Courgette’s can be kept on the countertop, however we’d recommend putting your citrus foods in the fridge to extend their typical shelf life.
Avocados, peaches, plums, and kiwis should be kept in the fruit bowl, until ripe. Then these can be moved into the crispier draw.
Store carrots, apples, lettuce, grapes, blueberries, and raspberries in the fridge instantly.
If you feel as if any of your fruit or veg is looking sad, assess it properly before throwing away. Most of these products can be frozen and kept for up to three months.
Simply chop up your produce, clean thoroughly, and put into freezer bags with a label of the date you have put them into the freezer.
Don’t have any room in your freezer? Use the My Fresh Choice drawer on your Hisense Fridge Freezer. Simply set the temperature to – 20 degrees and utilise the extra freezer space to reduce food waste and save money.
To shop Hisense refrigeration, click here
sources:
*Seasonal UK grown produce – Vegetarian Society (vegsoc.org)
