Delicious Winter Produce Bargains

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Delicious Winter Produce Bargains advertisement

Shopping for great-tasting fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter can

be a disappointing experience in many parts of the country. Tasteless tomatoes,

unripe strawberries, and avocados priced like precious gems are just some of the

typical frustrations. Your favorite fruits and veggies are either out of season

or they come with a hefty price tag.

So should you give up on them until the spring thaw? Of course not!

1. Buy seasonal produce. Readily available winter fruits include oranges,

grapefruit, apples, and pears. Zero in on always-tasty winter vegetables such as

broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery root, fennel, spinach,

mushrooms, kale, chicory, leeks, Swiss chard, and collard greens.

2. Shop the frozen food aisle. Believe it or not, some nutrients (like

vitamins A and C) are better retained in frozen produce than fresh produce,

which loses some nutrients through exposure to air and light and during

transportation. Plus, frozen produce usually requires minimal preparation. Also,

by stocking your freezer with frozen produce, you'll always have fruits and

vegetables on hand, even on days when you can't make it to the grocery store.

This aisle is an especially good place to find berries and other off-season

fruits. (Make sure you select frozen fruits packaged without added sugars.)

3. Seek out weekly sales. Your local grocery store likely runs weekly

promotions on selected produce. If you're looking to save pennies, pick up a

circular and make it a point to buy your produce when it's on sale.