November is the same month for all the people in the world who adopted the Gregorian calendar. The only differences among our countries depending on the latitude and the characteristics of the soils; that's why Mother Nature gives us different food.
I know that it's a little bit strange to say, but there is at least one positive effect of the economic crisis: we are buying seasonal fruits and vegetables to save money. In this way we eat newly harvested products, still rich of their content of vitamin C. As you may know, after the harvest the content of vitamin C decreases fast enough. If the fruits and the vegetables are organic, they are always sold fresh because they haven't any preservatives.
In November, in Italy we have the following seasonal fruits;
What should we say about those salutary fruits known by everybody? The peel of the oranges and tangerines have a delicious fragrance; have you ever tried to throw their skin in the fire of the fireplace?
The seasonal vegetables of November in Italy are:
Let's take a deeper look at two of the seasonal vegetables, so sweet and so important for our health: the cauliflower and the broccoli.
Cauliflower, a typical autumn plant, is very rich in vitamin A, B, C. It is recommended for those who suffer from anemia because it is an excellent source of iron together with potassium, folic acid and magnesium. The cauliflower has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, cleansing properties and it is particularly indicated in cases of diabetes because it has no gluten. We can cook it au gratin but also by steaming, then seasoning it with a little extra virgin olive oil and a few drops of lemon.
The broccoli (broccolo in Italian) is a plant of the cabbage family, mainly popular in southern Italy. It is native to America and it was brought to Italy from ocean navigators who ate broccoli for its vitamin C. The harvest of broccoli begins on October until March, while the best time to eat it is in December. It contains magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, iodine, selenium, sulfur. The broccoli is one of the best friends of the heart, the colon and the lungs. In fact it helps to keep under control the blood pressure with its vitamin C and E, carotene and potassium. Scientific studies have demonstrated that broccoli is an anti-cancer agent thanks to its beta-carotene together with the presence of chemical compounds that block the development of tumor cells. The broccoli also helps us fight some diseases of the gastrointestinal system, such as duodenal ulcers, while its cooking liquid is a good adjuvant in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and colds in winter.
Cauliflower & Broccoli are excellent if steamed: have you even read our bizarre tips to mitigate their smell when cooking?
www.buonaidea.it | frutta e verdura di stagione
cucina.excite.it | I broccoli, proprieta curative e benefiche
www.ilbroccolofiolaro.it
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Yellow like the shiny sun that caresses its peel