Pitt Nutrition Blog

It’s that time of year again: growing season! Many savvy seedsmen and women have ventured outdoors to plant their most-coveted crops. The benefits of at-home gardening are numerous and include: environmental sustainability, improved self-sufficiency, and access to fresh, economical produce. The plants that thrive in home gardens are as diverse as the gardeners who grow them. From foreign fruits in wild shapes and sizes to common vegetables with uncommon colors; planting novel crops can add both variety and vibrancy to your backyard and dinner plate, 1,2  Here are the top fruit and vegetable treats that have plant experts in Pittsburgh asking for more. Kohlrabi This alien-looking vegetable is a member of the Brassica family and is indigenous to Ireland. It is a pollinator-friendly plant that is said to have a sweet, ‘cabbage-like’ flavor. The stem of the plant can be either roasted or eaten raw (much like broccoli), while its leaves are best-eaten fresh or sautéed (sim...

America is in love with avocados. Our country’s appetite for the creamy, savory fruit has exploded — prompting home cooks, celebrity chefs, and fast food restaurateurs to reinvent-the-wheel. Fortunately, no matter how you slice them; avocados are healthful! Each indulgent serving is packed with potassium, fiber, and vitamins B6 and E. Indigenous to Mexico, this now international delight tastes great when paired with local ingredients such as tomatoes, corn, and garbanzo beans. In celebration of National Avocado Day, this past July 31st, let’s explore some unexpected, tasty ways that avocados have been reimagined.  The Avo Garden:   The Avocado Show   1  | Amsterdam  Welcome to the world’s first avocado-themed restaurant! Here, legendary chef Jaimie van Heije transforms sustainably sourced avocados into whimsical, flavorful features! Try their Avo Garden—a leafy hummus ‘burger’ with two avocado halves as the buns. Wash it all down with their famou...