It’s easy to to enhance nutrition by using fresh, local ingredients. We are fortunate today to have multiple farmers markets and community farm to table programs that make purchasing fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats and cheeses more accessible. Today, local farms and the consumer go hand-in-hand. Even with all the vitamins and supplements available, your best source for nutrition is from fresh foods. You are giving your body the nutrition it needs and supporting the local farmers and economy in the process.

The USDA report for 2011 states that sodium, solid fats, added sugars and refined grains are over consumed. Increasing homemade meals using fresh ingredients helps to reduce intake of these items. Remember to eat a portion of fruits and vegetables that would fit in the palm of your hand at every meal to ensure you are receiving your daily needs of vitamins, fiber and minerals for a balanced diet.

If you are cooking at home, remember to let the taste of the food shine through. Avoid overcooking, try leaving skins on, and keep it simple with olive oil, salt and pepper. Locally-grown foods are typically picked at peak ripeness. Things grown underground should be stored at room temperature, while things grown above ground generally need to be refrigerated (except tomatoes). This helps maintain the flavor. The things you store in the refrigerator should be stored on a shelf where air can circulate. If you use a drawer, just be sure not to stack items on top of each other.

Fresh strawberries should be coming into season by middle to late March, which is perfect for this month’s recipe. This strawberry salsa can be served on chicken, pork, fish or with chips.

Strawberry Salsa

1 pint of strawberries, half sliced, half chopped

¼ piece of red onion finely diced

2 Jalapeños, de-seeded and finely diced

1/3 cup chopped cilantro

Zest of one lime and its juice

2 pinches of cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in bowl, let set 1-2 hours and enjoy!

Morris, owner of Rhett’s Restaurant, Personal Chef & Catering in Southern Pines, can be reached at  (910) 695-3663 or rhett@rhettsinc.com.