100-mile diet-memories

[OakLeaf]

I remember when oranges and other citrus fruit were seasonal items, that's why getting them in your Xmas stocking (out of season for the US) was so exciting.

actually Christmas IS the beginning of citrus season in the US - that's how the tradition began. Early varieties ripen starting in early to mid December.

My mom immigrated when she was in her early teens, so a lot of what we had was make-do ingredients. Dry sherry for shaoxing wine, etc. We made tofu for years and years, but I never knew anyone make soy sauce, wow. (Is that more hassle than making papad? )

I think most of us on this board do remember when produce was seasonal... of course we have a few youngsters. I try. Bananas have been one of my indulgences, but now that I'm reading about them in Dan Koeppel's book I don't think I'll be able to eat them any more. I knew conventional bananas were super toxic, and I try to only buy fair trade ones, but I didn't realize that the only way bananas are grown organically is by clearing more and more land that hasn't been infected with the various diseases.