Frozen February--Let's Celebrate!

Happy February Gleaners!

We’re excited to not only share more information about food with you but also celebrate Black History Month all February long! Each year, Black History Month is designated a new “theme” and 2022’s theme is Black Health and Wellness and if you’d like to explore more about this years theme and learn more about Black History Month, please be sure to visit The Association for the Study of African American Life and History’s website (https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/) to learn more!

As for us, we will continue to celebrate each month with more information and recipes that will help you use seasonal produce for health and wellness!

February is National Bake for Family Fun Month!

This is great news for those who enjoy baking and spending time with their families (even when we know sometimes that can get messy!). February is also Cherry, Grapefruit, and Hot Breakfast month.

You may be wondering: Cherries and Grapefruit? Those couldn’t possibly be in season in February! You’d be correct! Cherries are generally in season May-August but this month was chosen to bring awareness to the availability of this fruit throughout the year. Grapefruit month was chosen to be February to draw attention to the health benefits that grapefruit can provide. Let’s explore the benefits of both!

Cherries are nutrient dense and both tart and sweet cherries provide Vitamin A & C, antioxidants and tart cherries have been shown to help reduce muscle ache and improve recovery after workouts!

Grapefruit, which comes in pink, yellow, white and ruby varieties, contains 78% of daily recommended vitamin C in one HALF of it’s fruit! One grapefruit can give you 2/3 a cup of fresh juice. The trees that grow them can grow to be 50 feet tall and cooking these fruits can remove sourness from them! But, be warned when you celebrate this fruit in February: Grapefruit should not mix with some medications, birth controls or antibiotics! Make sure you check your medications before indulging in this delicious treat!

Don’t think we forgot about the hot breakfast portion of this month either! You can warm up with this recipe for Triple Berry Oatmeal Breakfast Bowls (and hey—maybe substitute in Cherries or Grapefruit!) or maybe give this Blueberry & Almond Porridge a taste to keep yourself warmed up in the cold of winter!

February 2nd is National Tater Tot Day!

Tater Tots are some of the greatest inventions. They’re easy and delicious and they can be made of so many different kinds of things! (What—Not just potatoes! NOPE!)

For this food holiday maybe try to use some Potatoes that you’ve been holding onto since the end of the season or you can get more daring with some Sweet Potato Tots or Zucchini Tots that can creatively use up what you may have been scratching your head wondering “What am I going to do with these?!” (And remember—baking with family month! Your family will love these delicious, crunchy tots as a side to any meal!)

February 4th is Frozen Yogurt Day!

I know what you’re thinking. “Homemade Frozen Yogurt can’t be that easy—its GOT to be complicated!” I promise—it’s never been easier to enjoy this frozen treat at home! Try this recipe for Simple Frozen Yogurt or get creative by using Greek yogurt or various flavors and extracts (we highly recommend adding some fruit as a topping!) Even in the cold months, sometimes you just GOTTA have a frozen treat and now you can make your own!

February 9th is National Pizza Day!

Everyone loves pizza so how about celebrate this holiday and the spirit of Baking for Family Fun Month by exploring seasonal pizza recipes together?!

Sweet Potato and Kale Pizza could be just the thing to use some seasonal tubers and greens and make an incredibly savory and protein rich pizza! Try your hand at Kale, Butternut Squash, Bacon and Smoked Mozzarella pizza for something more loaded or simply give it a go with the good old traditional cheese and meat option (maybe switch up your meat selection or try some tofu or mushrooms!)

Don’t think we forgot about other recipes to enjoy for Baking for Family Fun Month. Check out these links for lists of simple recipes do to with kids (or in general) to celebrate the spirit of this Month’s food holidays together.
101 After-school baking activities

10 Super Simple Baking Recipes

Seasonal Produce Update

February continues with a seasonal produce update. Produce is still keeping on and here in southern PA produce still considered in season includes Apples, Celery, Horseradish, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Rapini, Sprouts and Turnips. Not much change from January but make sure to try and utilize the flavors of the season!