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Maple syrup comes from sugar maple trees, known as senômozi to the Abenaki. Sugar maple is native across New England, parts of the upper Midwest, and Quebec– a unique bioregion known as Maple Nation. Many thousands of years ago, the Indigenous people of this region devised a way of tapping into that flow of sap,Continue reading “March 2024: Harvest of the Month Maple Syrup”

Carrots Carrots are derived from a Middle Eastern crop called Queen Anne’s Lace. This wild ancestor is also a taproot crop but has a white root. For thousands of years, the carrot was not a popular vegetable because it had a woody texture and was difficult to eat. A subspecies of this plant has beenContinue reading “February Harvest of the Month: Carrots”

Beets are native to the shores of North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East; they were first cultivated by the ancient Romans. In the 19th century, when it was found that beets could be converted into sugar, the crop’s commercial value significantly grew. Beets are a member of the Amaranthaceae family, along with chard, quinoa,Continue reading “Harvest of the Month: Beets”

Sweet Potatoes: ​Native to Central America, the sweet potato is not related to potatoes but instead is in the same family as morning glory. ​Sweet potatoes are very popular in the southern United States, and have been grown in that region since the 16th century. Although often mistaken for the yam, sweet potatoes are more flavorfulContinue reading “Harvest of the Month: December 2023”

Winter squash are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, also known as the gourd family, along with cucumbers, summer squash (pattypan, zucchini), and watermelon. Originally, winter squash were cultivated for the consumption of their seeds only, as they had minimal, bitter-tasting flesh; over time, fleshier, fruitier varieties were developed.  For information and recipes, check out the VermontContinue reading “November Harvest of the Month”

Apples thrive in temperate climates because they need a period of cold and dormancy in order to prosper; therefore, they are not cultivated in tropical climates. Apples are in the Rosaceae (rose) family, along with almonds, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries. For information and ideas: http://www.vermontharvestofthemonth.org/october-2023–apples.html

Peppers are native to Central and South America. They are among the first plants to be cultivated there. Pepper seeds dating back to 5000 B.C. havebeen discovered in Mexico. Because the pepper plant is very adaptable, many different areas of the world are able to cultivate them. More info and recipes at the Harvest ofContinue reading “September Harvest of the Month: Peppers”

Blueberries, raspberries and strawberriesall grow in the wild and are cultivated inVermont.The blue pigment in blueberries comesfrom a group of antioxidants calledanthocyanins. The waxy coating on thesurface of blueberries is called the“bloom”.Raspberry bushes have thorns—be wary!Native Americans called strawberries“heartseed berries” and ground them intocornmeal bread. Inspired by this recipe,colonists created a similar version,referred to todayContinue reading “August Harvest of the Month: Berries”

Cucumbers: Cucumbers are easy and delicious! Eat them raw as a snack or throw them on top of a salad, but you can also pickle, sautee, bake, or boil cucumbers. There are many varieties and most taste and look different- try them all!  If you’re looking for some tasty cucumber ideas, check out these recipesContinue reading “Harvest of the Month: July 2023”

Humans and other predatory animals have been eating eggs for millions of years. Then, about 5,000 years ago, people in Asia domesticated the first wildfowl. It was so successful that the idea spread worldwide. Later, the Egyptians developed a method to incubate eggs in heated caves, freeing up hens to lay more. In the 1940s,Continue reading “June Harvest of the Month: Eggs”