Tipsheet: Shop like a sustainable chef
Can you find a great meal for your family without a plan and with only seasonal ingredients? We have some tips for navigating a farmers markets successfully:
Pick a protein first: Look for vendors that offer locally sourced pork, seafood or meat. Ask about how the animals were raised, if you’re concerned about organically grown products. Locally sourced doesn’t automatically mean organic.
Know what veggies and fruits are in season: That asparagus might be tempting in July, but, most likely, it’s being shipped from elsewhere. The Certified SC website has a working list of what’s in season in South Carolina. When in doubt, ask where something comes from.
What herb to use? If you want a light but flavorful seasoning, try dill. For a bolder flavor, try a variety of basil that has a bit of heat.
Considering raw milk? It comes straight from the cow so raw milk has not undergone any processes, such as pasteurization, that would kill any harmful bacteria – so it is not for anyone with weakened immune systems.
Cheese, please: The unofficial name for South Carolina should be the Goat Cheese State. There are plenty of goat cheeses to choose from – all made within the state – and cow’s milk cheese is starting to enter the market in small quantities.
Drinks: Those handmade sodas look great, but they might be chock-full of sugar. Ask how it is made, how much sugar is added.
Sweet stuff: It’s past strawberry season, so why not try figs, peaches or pears?
This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 1:28 PM with the headline "Tipsheet: Shop like a sustainable chef."