May: 10 In-Season Fruits and Vegetables!
Each month comes and goes, and each grocery store carries new produce and takes away old. In the fall there is butternut squash, in the spring there is citrus, and the summer there is scrumptious watermelon. These days, farmers have found ways to offer fruits and vegetables at every season, practically. While this is convienient, it sacrifices flavor by eating these foods when they aren’t in-season. Buying seasonal produce is awesome for optimal flavor and it also helps bring in the seasons!
One thing to be weary of when buying seasonal produce (and really all produce) is whether to buy organic or non-organic. Different fruits and vegetables have different variables that make them more susceptible to pesticide residue sticking on them. While I always encourage organic produce, some fruits and vegetables are less susceptible to pesticide residues sticking to their outer shell or layers, and thus, safer to eat. Along with the 10 best in-season produce, I’m also writing a quick note on whether or not each should be bought organically or non-organically.
Without further a due, these are the 10 best in-season produce in the month of May — eat up and enjoy!!
May Seasonal Produce:
Citrus Fruit — citrus is sprayed with fungicides, pesticides, and herbicides. Since most of these chemicals end up on the skin of the fruit, non-organic is completely fine if you’re only using the inside juice. However, definitely buy organic if you’re using the zest, peel, or putting a lemon wedge in your water.
Broccoli — Broccoli’s hard exterior makes it strong at repelling chemical residue. Non-organic is usually fine on this one, just make sure to scout out a bunch that doesn’t have any brown spots on it. On EWG’s “clean” list.
Mangos — Because of the mangos outer shell that you do not eat, this fruit is considered on the EWG’s “clean” list. This is safe to buy inorganically all summer long!
Avocados — Avocados usually make it on the EWG’s “Clean” list most years. This is because studies have shown limited amounts of pesticide residue on an avocados outer layer. And since you’re not usually eating the outer shell (I hope!) it’s totally okay to go non-organic on this one! On EWG’s “clean” list.
Strawberries — NUMBER 1 on the “dirty dozen” list. This means that strawberries are rated the worse for collecting pesticide residues on their skin and outer coating. If there is one item you should spend more money on to buy organic, it’s strawberries! Stay clear!
Kale and other Greens — definitely buy Organic! Kale is one of the top foods that pesticides are shown to stick the best to. Yikes! On EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” list.
Peas — for fresh snap peas, chemical residue is common so it is better to go organic. However, for frozen peas, it’s okay to go non-organic. Frozen peas are on EWG’s “clean” list.
Cauliflower — this vegetable is farmed in a way that is usually handled biologically from pests, so usually it’s okay to buy non-organic. On EWG’s “clean” list.
Apples + Nectarines — definitely buy organic, if possible! These tasty fruits are rated #4 & #5 on the “dirty dozen” list. This means they are top ten for pesticides in produce. Stay away!
Asparagus — asparagus has a somewhat thick covering that studies have shown to ward off high amounts of pesticides… they also have an enzyme that actually breaks down a pesticide called malathion. Because of this, non-organic is usually fine! On EWG’s “clean” list.
There you have it! The 10 best in-season fruits and vegetables for the month of May! There are quite a few more fruits and vegetables that are in season right now but these are some of the most popular. Eat up these amazing goodies with joy and make your month that much tastier!
For more information on what fruits and vegetables have harmful pesticides on them, I suggest visiting the EWG’s website. It is an educationally packed website that shows which fruits and vegetables are on the “clean” list or “dirty dozen” list.
Stay tuned for more monthly seasonal fruit/veggie lists!
