Fresh produce calendar

Fresh and local, Quebec’s harvest baskets are overflowing with flavours. The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here—Quebec-grown fruits and vegetables are back and filling those blue baskets we’ve come to know and love with delicious, in-season produce. From mid-July to late-September, enjoy plump tomatoes, crisp yellow beans, delicious beets, sweet Nantes carrots, and so much more!

Rich in vitamin C and nutrients, Quebec fruits and vegetables are incredibly fresh. Encourage our local farmers and reduce your ecological footprint while you’re at it—there are so many great reasons for adding these 100% Quebec baskets to your cart!

Local, grown-in-Quebec ingredients are harvested much later than they would be if they were imported from other countries. And the fresher an ingredient is, the more nutrients it contains!

Consuming local ingredients helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and your ecological footprint.

Encouraging the local economy helps support the diversity of local products available: our producers can improve their installations and procedures, thus enabling them to offer certain products all year round.

Buying local products either in-store or directly from producers means you know exactly what’s on your plate.

Crunchy and fresh, radishes are the spring snack par excellence! Rich in antioxidants and fibre, they help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Combine them with a bit of rice and toss into a tabbouleh salad!

Ostrich fern leaves are harvested while still young. The fronds are tightly coiled and resemble a fiddle, hence the name: fiddlehead. Rich in antioxidants, they’re considered a super-food! They contain vegetable protein and are very high in fibre. Pan-fry and toss them into your favourite pasta dish!

This long, lean veggie grows quickly and without needing any chemical fertilizer!
Its list of benefits is also long: it contains magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, and vitamin C. The best way to ensure you get all these nutrients when eating asparagus is to steam-cook it. For a fresh summer dish, serve with Feta or other fine cheeses. And remember to keep it light and let the vegetable’s flavours shine—no complicated or spicy sauces here!

When picking out your broccoli, opt for one that is greenish-blue in colour, with a tight bouquet, and small green leaves at its base. This green veggie helps reduce the risk of certain types of cancers and improves eyesight and memory. Researchers who have studied cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli) have succeeded in isolating a substance called glucosinolate, which helps inhibit cancer cells. To get the most out of these power greens, lightly cook them and toss them in a salad!

When it comes to cabbage, you have lots to choose from: green, purple, kale, etc. Versatile, cabbage can be eaten raw, slightly cooked, or stewed until it melts in your mouth. This leafy green contains cancer-fighting properties, antibacterial sulphates, and antioxidants. Try cutting a fresh head of cabbage in pieces and frying in a pan with onions. Next, add a bit of vegetable broth, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce for the perfect side to meat and fish.

Very versatile, cauliflower can be consumed raw, slightly cooked, or stewed. Both its stem and florets are edible. Cauliflower contains an impressive amount of potassium and folic acid, which is essential for pregnant women. To enjoy this vegetable to the max, steam-cook it and serve it with a vinaigrette, or cream, curry, cheese, or béchamel sauce!

A member of the squash family (pumpkins, gourds, etc.), zucchini is harvested young. Considered one of the most easily digestible vegetables, zucchini is recommended for those with sensitive stomachs or gastric diseases. You can enjoy it fresh, spiralled in a summer salad, or with eggs, in quiches, omelettes, or frittatas!

Nothing beats fresh herbs in the summer: cress, chives, basil, dill . . . they all add a touch of flavour to your plate. They boast numerous benefits that are great for around the house and in the kitchen: they help heal scars, are antiseptic, and are packed with antioxidants. Always have a nice selection in the fridge, and make sure they’re fresh when adding them to your recipes. You can add them to your sauces, salads, and grilled meat and fish!

Everyone’s favourite Quebec summer fruit! There exist several strawberry varieties, and despite their sweetness, these colourful berries are packed with healthy nutrients. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, they help fight cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. Highlight them with a sprinkling of pepper, or a handful of fresh mint or basil leaves, and use them to garnish your bowl of vanilla ice cream!

There are many types of lettuce out there: frisée, head, Boston, iceberg, romaine... and even asparagus! Low in calories and rich in fibre and beta-carotene, lettuce is delicious served with your favourite condiments and protein, such as eggs, fish, meat, or tofu.

Green onions are commonly referred to as “shallots” or “chives.” Although their mineral properties are negligible, they add a ton of taste to any dish without weighing it down with carbohydrates! Slice them and sprinkle on grilled meat or poultry, or use as a garnish for your omelette!

These thin-skinned tubers are considered the “base” of many diets around the world. Super versatile, they can be prepared a thousand and one different ways. Rich in fibre and antioxidants, they help protect cells damaged by aging. Grate them raw, shape into patties, and fry in a pan until golden brown.

This vegetable has long green, red, or pink stems (the stems are the only edible part) that resemble that of a celery. Rhubarb is an excellent source of fibre and can be enjoyed as a purée to help with digestion. Do not cook or consume the leaves, as they contain oxalic acid, which is toxic! You can press the stems and use the tart juice (in lieu of lemon juice or vinegar) to make vinaigrettes for your salad!

There exist several varieties of this summer vegetable. Most are dark purple, almost black, but some are white, yellow, or pale green. When consumed regularly, eggplants help lower cholesterol. Try grilling then pureeing it. Then, just add lemon juice and olive oil for a hummus-like spread that’s oh-so-delicious!

A root vegetable whose deep red-purple colour is known for staining everything it touches! Packed with mineral salts and antioxidants, beets can also help prevent certain types of cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Use them to make chutney (kind of like a sweet salsa), add them to your salads (depending on the variety you choose), turn them into fries, or pickle them.

Sometimes cultivated, sometimes wild, blueberries are the North American version of bilberries. They boast loads of benefits, including the power to help curb diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and bladder infections.
Let them steep in white wine or apple cider vinegar for a few days and you’ll have yourself a delicious vinaigrette for all your favourite salads.

A classic Quebec root vegetable that is often orange (but not always!). Rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, carrots help lower cholesterol. They can be enjoyed raw with a homemade dip, or in a yummy cold summer soup!

Cucumbers come from the same family as squash and melons. Very refreshing, they’re the perfect summer veggie. They contain loads of fibre and contribute to a healthy gut. To enjoy their full benefits, consume them skin-on. Try making a summer gaspacho or cucumber and cheese sandwich!

These berries are the healthiest of the bunch! The Gallic acid they contain have antimicrobial and antivirus properties. Add them to chia pudding or to your summer salads!

These long vegetables are filled with seeds that resemble small peas. They are very high in fibre, and contribute to a healthy heart and gut. You can chop them into pieces and add them to rice, millet, or quinoa salad.

Consumed both as a cereal and as a vegetable, corn is one of Quebec’s most popular vegetables! Gluten-free, it’s recommended for people with celiac disease or who are gluten intolerant. They’re delicious boiled or grilled on the BBQ, slathered in butter, or added to a salsa or salad!

This bulb, consumed across the globe, is one of the oldest cultivated vegetables in the world! They help with weight loss, have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, and are good for the immune system. Cut them into a “star” shape, dip in breadcrumbs, and grill on the BBQ for a simple, yet delicious dish!

This vegetable varies in colour, from green to red depending on how ripe it is. When choosing peppers, opt for ones with taut, smooth skin!
They help prevent breast cancer and lower cholesterol.
Diced with eggs, peppers make a mean Chakchouka, a delicious tomato-based ratatouille.

Also known as a turnip, this vegetable is a cross between a turnip and a cabbage! Packed with vitamin C, it’s great for boosting the immune system during the winter. Purée it and serve as a side dish, add to a cheesy casserole, or make a soup out of it!

Half-fruit, half-vegetable, tomatoes grow everywhere in Quebec and are ripe for the picking come July. Rich in beta-carotene, tomatoes are great for the skin and have cancer-fighting properties. For a delicious salad, simply toss with bocconcini and basil!

A staple in all kitchens, this small bulb adds big flavour to everything! Packed with antioxidants, garlic plays an important role in fighting age-related diseases, plus it’s an anticoagulant. Place a whole bulb in aluminum foil and cook on the BBQ—it’ll turn flavourful and tender, the perfect addition to any dish!

Ce petit fruit jaune éclatant se cache dans une « enveloppe » dont la texture ressemble un peu à du papier. Antioxydante, elle pourrait jouer un rôle dans le traitement de l’asthme, de la malaria, du rhumatisme et de l’hépatite. À déguster dans un ketchup aux fruits ou dans une compotée, pour accompagner une viande.

From a botanical standpoint, squash are fruit, but we tend to view—and cook—them as vegetables! Rich in protein, their seeds contain essential fatty acids
(Linoleic acid) and vitamin E, know for its antioxidant properties. Purée them and use the mixture to fill
won-ton pastries for yummy raviolis in no time!

Quebec’s emblematic fruit, apples line grocery store shelves year-round! Their antioxidant properties mean they help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. They can be consumed as-is or baked. A go-to classic? Apple crisp! Bite-sized pieces of apple topped with oats, butter, brown sugar, and lemon!

Many people don’t realize that this small tart berry is grown right here in Quebec! Good for the heart, stomach, and teeth, and known to help lower cholesterol, this power berry also helps prevent certain cancers, as well as bladder infections. Enjoy them dried, or fresh in muffins, cakes, and sweet breads!