California food trends are as tasty as they are healthy . Why not include avocado, citrus, & zucchini regularly?
California Food Trends: Avocado, Citrus, & Zucchini
Living in California means we’re always on the cutting edge of food trends. Farm to Fork? Yep, it started here in the 70’s. Local sourcing? A natural result of the Farm to Table movement.
We add citrus and avocado nearly universally, regularly shop at farmers markets and grilling is an extension of our kitchens. Our recipes and approach to food can be wacky but for day-to-day meals for you and your family, it is mostly about simplification.
Why simplify? We talk about the mysteries surrounding special dietary needs in our post Guests With a Special Diet? What now… and one of the things we mention is simplifying. We’re all affected in one way or another by dietary restrictions, allergies, preferences and so much more. Some of today’s most popular recipes have resulted from factors such as eliminating or avoiding glutens, reducing red meat or fat, cutting out oils and sprays to cook our food, etc.. Simple is easier and often tastier!
Why Farmers Markets Are Here To Stay In The California Food Approach
The popularity of farmers markets across California isn’t just a west coast thing. It’s a national movement to support local agriculture, shorten the supply chain and have more control over the amount of additives added to the growing and delivery process. How does all of this impact your plate?
- Less chemicals. The organic approach to growing and distributing food is part of the inclination of people to know what you are eating in terms of what is in it, where it was made or grown and how was it handled along the way. Why? Families are dealing with more and more dietary restrictions and allergies. Organics are a part of that approach.
- More than veggies and fruit. One of the reasons farmers markets can to be popular is the variety of items available. From flowers, to honey, food stalls with all manner of cuisine, handmade goods and even music or yoga sessions. Really, the sky’s the limit when it comes to a farmers market these days.
- A destination not a chore. For many, the farmers market is an opportunity to socialize, learn about your food and enjoy a breath of fresh air. I often learn a new way to cook an item I’ve never seen at my local grocery store! Usually, the vendors know exactly how to prepare that mystery ingredient. On a personal level, I am not an amazing chef so my plate at home tends to be repetitive. The advent of Pinterest and farmers markets has made it easier to experiment and be creative.
California Trend #1: Avocado
Why the Mighty Avocado Is a Must in California
If you don’t believe the avocado is a food staple in California, then simply type “California cooking” into your Pinterest search bar. It’s everywhere and on everything! From burgers to sushi, pizza to salads, and omelettes to tacos, it’s the topping of choice.
The versatility of the mighty avocado is apparent in the number of dishes in which it’s featured or added. It’s not just for tacos!
How the Avocado is a Healthy Choice
So, are you aware avocados are a nutrient dense high fat food but the healthy kind! Their bad rap through the 80’s for being a high calorie food has morphed, thankfully.
Now they are mostly considered a health food, thus nutritionists have advised adding healthy fats like avocado to our diets.
Here are a handful of examples for incorporating avocado in your life to get the ball rolling!
Smoothies! Use avocado as a base to thicken smoothies. It works similar to yogurt without all the added sugar you’ll find in most store bought brands. It’s also a great way to hide it for reluctant kiddos.
Salad Substitutions. To begin with avocados are creamy so when you use them with a salad, you can use far less dressing or even none at all. Similar to smoothies, if you use them as a base for homemade dressing you’ll get a lovely consistency once blended. The only drawback to this is a short shelf-life, so don’t make huge quantities.
A Vegetarian Option. Avocados wedges can actually be battered and fried (yes I know – not healthy but bear with me). If you’re avoiding animal protein, this is a great option for your next taco. We’ve seen it in restaurants from San Diego to Sacramento. Chefs have increasingly chosen to add this tasty dish as an option on their menus in the last few years. It’s popular among friends as both a novelty and a vegetarian option.
Avocado Adds Creativity and Flavor
Add Guac! Guacamole may be just another condiment in the minds of most. But when it is dressed up with fresh pico de gallo (chopped jalapeno, tomatoes & onions), lime juice and spices galore – well, the flavors will perk up even the saddest quesadilla or burger!
Cali-Style Pizza. Beyond the tasty Mexican recipes is a new breed of pizza with a California take on ingredients. Infused oils, nuts, and local cheeses are often topped with avocado slices. Not sure if some of these “pizzas” would pass the Italiano sniff test but they are certainly flavorful and a break from traditional options like BBQ chicken or the classic pepperoni.
Avocado Toast: A Tasty Trend You Can Embrace!
It’s not your momma’s toast anymore!
Avocado toast is a brunch favorite if you’re on the lookout with the girls, but is also the easiest lunch option ever for an indulgent at-home meal. It can be as simple or over the top as you like.
My personal taste is super thin slices fanned out over a thick whole grain bread. A sprinkle of kosher salt and voila! If I am feeling fancy, I’ll get a hold of micro greens and top the avocado toast. Add a little Siracha or mayo and drizzle just a little over the greens to get a meal worthy of an Instagram moment.
Fun Fact! In Brasil, the avocado is considered a dessert fruit and utilized as such. It is typical to sprinkle sugar over avocado slices as a sweet pairing with your meal. Definitely a strange experience, but when in Rio do as they do!
California Food Trend #2: Citrus
California Citrus
Citrus has always been a staple California food. As far back as the 1700’s Spanish missionaries were introducing Californians to lemons and oranges.
They were specifically propagated by the San Gabriel mission, and the first producers obtained their seedlings from the missions. All across the state, communities were built up around lemon groves and other agricultural production, particularly in Southern California.
Today. lemons, limes, oranges and other citrus are huge industries in California but growers are now concentrated in the San Joaquin Valley instead of the pricier Southern California.
Throughout the state, lemon, lime, grapefruit and orange trees are commonly found in backyards. So it’s only natural we would incorporate this food staple into every aspect of our cuisine!
Five Components Of A Marinade?
Our family takes the approach that what is in season is probably tastiest. That being said, there are some very basic ingredients in marinades that take your cooking to another level. We take a ziploc bag, toss all the marinade ingredients into, add our chicken, fish or beef and let it hang out in the fridge overnight. It’s just about the easiest, simplest way to add flavor with readily available items. Here’s a recipe from momonatimeout.com that we love!
First, what are the typical ingredients in a marinade? In California, it may differ slightly but you can adjust for your region.
- Citrus juice and zest (lemon, lime, orange)
- Spices or herbs (rosemary, cilantro, jalapenos or peppers)
- Garlic and/or onion (crushed or clove garlics, red or yellow onions)
- A sweet component like honey (brown sugars, honey, agave)
- A touch of oil and/or vinegars (just a splash of cooking oil, your favorite balsamic or any decent quality balsamic)
California Food Trend #3: Zucchini
Zucchini Spotlight: A Low Carb, Whole Food
With the popularity of low carbohydrate and whole food diets growing rapidly (not to mention vegetarians and vegans), the very creative California food industry has responded. And zucchini recipes are having their moment!
Zoodles! Yes, That’s a Thing…
Fresh organic zucchini is plentiful (just ask your local home gardener!) and not at all expensive. Zucchini is also the easiest of the vegetables to grow in a home garden. Since it is inexpensive and plentiful, it makes the perfect side for grilling, camping (think foil packs), and even noodles. Noodles??? Yep – some creative soul called them “Zoodles” and the name has stuck.
We highly recommend just making your own with a $7 spiralizer. But in a pinch, you can now find zoodles in the frozen section of most supermarkets.
Want to know how to fix zoodles? Here’s a super easy recipe from Living Well Mom that tells How To Avoid Watery Zoodles. To be honest though, if you like your zoodles slightly crisp and you’re putting a hot sauce (like spaghetti) on them, you really don’t have to cook them at all. Just cover the zoodles in warm sauce and let them sit for a minute. The sauce will steam them just perfectly!
Foil Packs
What to do with your zucchini if you’re not a zoodles fan? You can’t get much easier than foil packs! This Zucchini Foil Packs recipe from Eating On A Dime tells you exactly how to do it, and includes all sorts of fun variations. Easy prep and simple cleanup make this zucchini recipe a summer staple.
This approach is terrific for more than just zucchini however. Nearly any vegetable or fish can be done the same way with terrific and tasty results!
Tips & Tricks For Incorporating California Food Trends at Home
3 California Food Tools You Need
- Spiralizer. This inexpensive little tool allows you to create ribbons out of fruits and vegetables. If you adhering to paleo diet, gluten free, vegan or simply just tired of the same old dinner plate a spiralizer can add variety to your week! We included a recipe below.
- Zester. The oils of fruits like lemons and limes are amazing! Truly, they have intense flavor. A zester or grater is essential to have in that kitchen drawer.
- Grater. For us, we have teens and zester and graters are essentially the same tool. For some folks, you may want separate tools. The grater for us is a fine grater, not your typical cheddar grater but a more fine one we use for real parmagiano reggiano. Why use the real block vs that powdery stuff in the plastic container? Taste and simplification! There is no wax, no additives and the taste is a thousand times better.
Get Creative With Your Choices
- Use WHATEVER you have available. There is no reason whatsoever you can’t grill any vegetable or fruit. Incorporate a few staples from your pantry. From canned pineapples to soy sauce or even that can of sardines that’s been on the shelf for all season long. Use it! Use it creatively in a marinade or grill something unexpected. The sardines? We grill romaine hearts (just char really) and use the sardines as part of a creamy caesar dressing with shaved parmesan.
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Make it personal! Have your absolute favorite plates on hand. I’m not talking about the good china. For us, it’s all about the meaning and the history like a plate from a favorite restaurant while on vacation. We have a platter from Emeril’s, another inherited from mom, and yet another was a surprise find at a yard sale. Whatever brings you joy, add it to your repertoire and place amazing meals on them to enjoy with family and friends.
- Explore the farmers market. I discover new fruits, vegetables, nuts and cheese all the time at farmers markets. Change it up and try something new or unique that may not be available outside of the season.
California Grilling
Outdoor grilling is generally a year-round activity out here on the west coast. The reason being, the weather is generally cooperative and it is so easy! Keep in mind that grilling is interactive and meant to be fun, creative and most importantly, tasty! Now, not being a recipe blogger or chef, I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite grilling dishes that we featured in our post Grilling California Style: Fresh and Super Creative. These pins have that California vibe you’d expect from our team and are also listed below.
We also have a Health & Wellness board on Pinterest that you may want to follow with our own articles and posts but we also include other favorites as well. Savvy Cali Girl’s California Health and Wellness Pinterest Board
8 Great California Grilling Recipes
While we have an entire post on grilling alone, below are a few recipes to spark some creativity!
- Mexican Street Corn (Elotes) by Sunday Supper Movement. Grilled corn with a creamy coating and toppings.
- Romaine Hearts Grilled by seekinggoodeats.com. I know it sounds weird but a warm salad fresh off the grill is a refreshing take on the ordinary.
- Grilled Sweet Potatoes Recipe from simplyrecipes.com. A little olive, lime juice and kosher salt are plenty in elevating a bland potato side dish to something to chat about.
- Lime Cilantro Chicken from the Grill from Averiecooks.com. Lime and Cilantro are staples in California cuisine!
- Salmon Burgers with Avocado from kimscravings.com. Replacing ground beef in my diet is a must and salmon burgers are a really tasty alternative to traditional burgers.
- Grilled Cauliflower Steak from gimmesomegrilling.com. If you need to reduce animal protein with easy substitutions.
- Honey Mascarpone Over Grilled Peaches from Erhardtseat.com. Avoid baking and light up that grill for your next dessert!
- Grilled Pineapple with Brown Sugar & Sea Salt from heygrillhey.com. Create that vacation vibe with this pineapple grilling recipe. The same site even offers how to choose a grill.
In California, special diets pair with food trends to create a bounty of awesomeness! We love to take on a challenge with open hearts and minds. Consequently, that’s exactly what we’ve done with our food – which is also what makes it so amazing to live here.
If you missed our other posts in this series, check out Guests With a Special Diet? What Now…, and Grilling California Style: Fresh and Super Creative to get the complete feel for California style food.
