Seasonal Eating

Bedford County Farmers Market

The Bedford County Farmers Market is now closed for the 2023 season. We will see you in the late spring/early summer of 2024. Thank you for your support of the market!

What’s in Season for Winter?

Apples, cranberries, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, herbs, citrus (from Florida)

What’s Cooking Now?   

Cherries!

Cherry Pie

Although the story about George Washington and the cherry tree is a myth, February and President’s Day have always been associated with cherries.  They are also red which plays perfectly into the Valentine’s Day festivities as well.  While fresh sweet cherries, mostly from Washington state, don’t come in until summer, canned, frozen and dried options are great for the winter months.

Cherries are mostly known in desserts like cherry cobbler and cherry pie.  But, they can also be used in sauces, salads, beverages and quick breads.

Sweet cherries are mostly eaten fresh in season but you can get canned dark sweet cherries.  Bing cherries are a red sweet variety while Rainier are a popular yellow sweet variety.  Most of the sweet cherries come from the Western states of Washington and Oregon. The tart cherries are more from Michigan and New York and are more often canned, frozen or juiced.  These are used in pies and desserts with added sugar as they have a softer texture and more sour flavor.

This month, break out the cherries and celebrate President’s Day and Valentine’s Day with these delicious, red fruits.

Cherry Pie

Weeknight Cherry Cobbler

Cherry Almond Crepes

Dried Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

Mother Ginger Scones

Dried Cherry Sauce

Winter Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

Check out the Produce Information Pages Below:

Eat Seasonally!

Seasonal Eating is all about eating what is growing here and now.  A tomato doesn’t taste nearly as good in January when it is out-of-season as it does in July when it comes directly from the grower to you or to the grocery store.  Produce eaten when it is in-season tastes better and maintains more of its nutrients.  Eating with the seasons also helps reduce transportation, saving gas and emissions, as well as helps to support our local growers and local economy.  

To eat seasonally, try growing your own produce this Spring and Summer to use throughout the growing season and preserve what you can’t use through freezing or canning. Another option is to frequent the local farmer’s markets.  Even when shopping at the grocery stores, focus on what is seasonal for that month.

To see what is growing in Tennessee each month take a look at the Seasonal Eating Chart for Tennessee​.

Collard Greens
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Sweet Peppers
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Summer Squash
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Strawberries
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Spinach
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Potatoes
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Sweet Potatoes
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Carrots
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Snap Beans
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Cabbage
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Chard
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The Seasonal Kitchen Videos:

Know Your Carrots
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Know Your Sweet Peppers
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Know Your Collards
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Know Your Sweet Potatoes
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Know Your Snap Beans
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Know Your Summer Squash
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Pasta Stuffed Peppers
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Roasted Pork Tenderloin & Sweet Carrot Chutney
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Braised Chicken Thighs with Collards​
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Cranberry Orange Sweet Potatoes
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Green Beans with Tangy Vinaigrette
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Chicken Sausage and Summer Vegetable Sauté​
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