Seasonal and simple is a guide to help you find, select, store, and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables found in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The recipes use simple preparations and seasonings, so you can taste the goodness of a fruit or vegetable at the peak of its flavor. The great variety of colors, flavors and textures of fruits and vegetables makes eating them a sensual pleasure.

The fruits and vegetables are listed in the guide by their growing season — spring, summer and fall — with fruits and vegetables that grow best in cooler weather listed in both the spring and the fall sections. Recipes combining fruits or vegetables only contain fruits or vegetables grown in the same season.

In addition to information and recipes for produce found in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, a directory of farmer's markets where fresh produce can be purchased is provided. Choose fruits and vegetables in season and you get all the benefits — food that tastes good, is good for you and is reasonably priced. Whether you get your fruits and vegetables at your farmer’s market, a roadside farm stand, through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), or from your own garden or local grocery store, enjoy the goodness of fruits and vegetables. Eat a variety every day.

Seasonal and simple is provided by the University of Missouri Extension in partnership with Iowa State University Extension, K-State Research and Extension, and Nebraska Extension.