Taste of autumn: we chat with BC Tree Fruits about apple and pear season
September 19, 2016
Thyme machine: get to know BC’s herb producers!
November 7, 2016
Local foodies: it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Harvest season in BC is like no other, and if you check out our What’s In Season guide , you’ll see why - not only do crops like pumpkins, apples, grapes and squash abound, but we’ve also got emerald greens on the go like kale, mint, sage and even epazote. Some of BC’s most delicate crops - like zucchini blossoms and kiwi (you read that right) also overlap at this time of year - and all of these seasonal ingredients are a fantastic compliment to our province’s year-round foods like seafood, fish, beef, chicken, wine, and dairy. BC’s harvest is a chance for you to explore new tastes and dishes, and that’s well worth celebrating! Below, we’ve rounded up our favourite harvest festivals and other ways to enjoy our gorgeous harvest season.
Harvest festivals:
Wherever you are in BC, chances are your local town celebrates fall with its own harvest festival. Entering your local fall fair is a great way to try your cooking skills against the local pie champion, and to discover new tastes along with local food history. If you’re looking for a larger festival, start with celebrating the return of the salmon with the Clayquoyot Salmon Festival, or taste-test your way through Vancouver Island’s gourmet food fair at the 24th annual Bite of Nanaimo. Penticton’s Oktoberfest is sure to put a little oom-pah in your step, and Abbotsford’s Roadside Harvest Social blends a country setting with urban tastes. Relax with wines from over 50 select BC wineries at Port Moody’s BC Uncorked food and wine festival - or eat, drink and be “merri” at Merridale’s Harvest Dinner series. For more festivals close to your, try this finder.
Pumpkin and apple picking:
One of the best ways to celebrate harvest time is to get hands-on and pick your own. Try this local guide to pumpkin patches to find your perfect patch. If you haven’t checked out our guide to apple and pear season, start here - and then find a pick-your-own orchard that’s close to home. Or, for city folk, the apple festival at UBC’s Botanical Gardens is a great place to start exploring BC’s apples.
Wherever you are in BC, chances are your local town celebrates fall with its own harvest festival. Entering your local fall fair is a great way to try your cooking skills against the local pie champion, and to discover new tastes along with local food history. If you’re looking for a larger festival, start with celebrating the return of the salmon with the Clayquoyot Salmon Festival, or taste-test your way through Vancouver Island’s gourmet food fair at the 24th annual Bite of Nanaimo. Penticton’s Oktoberfest is sure to put a little oom-pah in your step, and Abbotsford’s Roadside Harvest Social blends a country setting with urban tastes. Relax with wines from over 50 select BC wineries at Port Moody’s BC Uncorked food and wine festival - or eat, drink and be “merri” at Merridale’s Harvest Dinner series. For more festivals close to your, try this finder.
Pumpkin and apple picking:
One of the best ways to celebrate harvest time is to get hands-on and pick your own. Try this local guide to pumpkin patches to find your perfect patch. If you haven’t checked out our guide to apple and pear season, start here - and then find a pick-your-own orchard that’s close to home. Or, for city folk, the apple festival at UBC’s Botanical Gardens is a great place to start exploring BC’s apples.
Farmer’s and fishers markets:
Did our What’s In Season finder leave you feeling hungry? Your local farmer’s market is a relaxing place to celebrate the harvest with your family - challenge the kids to try new tastes and chat with your local food producers. Don’t forget to visit your local fisher’s wharf or fish market as well! And keep an eye out for BC harvest foods at your local grocery store - our rosy apples, deep purple Concord grapes and golden pumpkins stand out from the crowd, and their stickers will tell you how close to home they were grown! Once you’ve made your way home with some harvest bounty, we’ve got lots of recipes for you to explore - just type “pumpkin”, “cranberry” or any other favourite ingredient into our recipe search engine to discover fresh ideas like Honeyed Cream of Pumpkin Soup, or Mini Turkey Burgers.
With Diwali and Halloween happening a day apart this year, there’ll be plenty to celebrate even as harvest season begins to wind down. Do you have any favourite harvest traditions or favourite family recipes you’d like to share? Head to our Facebook page, where we’ll be sharing some of our favourite harvest dishes!
Did our What’s In Season finder leave you feeling hungry? Your local farmer’s market is a relaxing place to celebrate the harvest with your family - challenge the kids to try new tastes and chat with your local food producers. Don’t forget to visit your local fisher’s wharf or fish market as well! And keep an eye out for BC harvest foods at your local grocery store - our rosy apples, deep purple Concord grapes and golden pumpkins stand out from the crowd, and their stickers will tell you how close to home they were grown! Once you’ve made your way home with some harvest bounty, we’ve got lots of recipes for you to explore - just type “pumpkin”, “cranberry” or any other favourite ingredient into our recipe search engine to discover fresh ideas like Honeyed Cream of Pumpkin Soup, or Mini Turkey Burgers.
With Diwali and Halloween happening a day apart this year, there’ll be plenty to celebrate even as harvest season begins to wind down. Do you have any favourite harvest traditions or favourite family recipes you’d like to share? Head to our Facebook page, where we’ll be sharing some of our favourite harvest dishes!
Photo credit: Kelowna Farmers’ Markets (CC License 2.0)