In the Season Thereof

How do we know if something is in season? One hint is to notice what is in abundance and on sale in the grocery market. Another way is to check out farmers' markets. The internet, of course, is helpful. :)

I found a lot of berries on sale recently. Blue, black, strawberries and raspberries. I bought some of each and have been making some raw fruit salads, which are simply delicious. I got this idea after having done a raw food detox. The recipes for these salads are wonderful. If you don't have the fruits suggested, however, use what you've got. The salad above is a variation from these. They are just to get your ideas flowing. Whatever fruits are ripe and abundant (in season) are the ones to use.

Red-White-and-Blue Fruit Salad

1 cup blueberries
5 cups strawberries
2 bananas (not too ripe)
1 very ripe red banana, or 1/2 a small plantain, very ripe

Cut strawberries into halves or thirds; cut yellow bananas in 1/2" pieces, toss together.

Blend red bananas or plantain in a blender, adding a shot of water if necessary, to make a cream. Blend into fruit pieces.

Creamy Sunshine Salad

3 red bananas, or 1 plantain, or 1 banana, very ripe
2 Tbs. coconut water (the juice --sometimes called milk--of a young coconut)
3 peaches, diced
3 nectarines, diced
1 mango, diced

Whip ripe bananas and coconut water in a blender until smooth; it should be on the thick side. Combine cubed fruit with sauce in a bowl. Serve.

If I were a betting woman, I would bet that this would even go over well at any Relief Society event, they may ask you how you got the "cream" to taste so fruity (no, it wasn't green jell-o added in)!

By the way, growing your own is still best. Tree-ripened fruit is amazingly good for you, and more scrumptious than any other. Get local if you can't grow it. If you can't get local, look for organic. If you can't get organic, some fruit is better than no fruit, in my opinion.