Vegetable Cooking Tips From The Great Northwest

A Vegetarian's Guide To Pacific Northwest Cuisine

If you are a vegetarian, or you feed a vegetarian, you will understand that it's tricky at times to find recipes for meals that offer complete nutrition. You want a variety of recipes for meatless meals that are flavorful, filling, and healthy, but often get stuck with just a few that you make over, and over, and over again.

In the Pacific Northwest region, there are so many wholesome local ingredients to choose from that you might never have to repeat the same recipes twice. With the temperate climate and abundant resources, finding food that fits your vegetarian diet is almost too easy!

The residents of this region take great pride in using the natural resources provided to them. A large variety of fruits, berries, nuts, vegetables, and herbs are available all year. Finding protein rich crops is not difficult in this lush land. Soy beans, tomatoes, and lentils are easily cultivated in much of this region's mild climate.

Hazelnuts are abundant in many parts of this region, and with a whopping 17 grams of protein in just one cup, this is a protein source that vegetarians will definitely be happy about. Chestnuts are another local crop that is a good choice for additional protein.

With the milder winters and friendly farming culture, you'll find many smaller dairy farms, including goat farms, from which to get natural cheeses and milk products, another good source of protein for many vegetarians.

Of course, for vegetarians who have chosen to eat fish as part of their diet, you have come to a cornucopia of seafood! You will have plenty of choices when it comes to fresh seafood caught in the waters around the region. You won't have to limit yourself to fish, either. With an abundance of oysters, crab, shrimp, mussels, and clams, you'll never be at a loss for some sort of seafood on the table. And, just as there are many seafood products to choose from, there are countless recipes that can be tried and tweaked to a person's satisfaction, creating seafood dishes to suit a wide variety of tastes.

Even though a vegetarian's diet concerns tend to focus on finding adequate sources of protein, it is not limited to just that. Every diet, vegetarian or carnivorous, must include a balance of nutrients. Many of the nutrients we need in a balanced diet come from fruit, and Washington and Oregon have an abundant fruit production.

Along with eating fresh fruit straight from the field, turning fruit into jams and jellies is an excellent way to preserve the nutrients for use months after the season is over. Fruits can be used in a main dish to perk up an old recipe and make it new again. For instance, a mixed fruit and berry salsa makes an excellent sauce for grilled salmon.

The Pacific Northwest region is known for embracing a healthy lifestyle, which includes natural, fresh, and sometimes organic foods. Grocery stores, even the larger stores, offer fresh produce and seafood from the region. Farmers' markets are commonly found in just about every town. Even the local chefs are buying fresh from the farmers and local fisheries to ensure the best ingredients for their restaurants. Vegetarians often seek out the finest ingredients because they have chosen the vegetarian diet as a means to stay healthy.

Following a vegetarian diet isn't hard, it just takes a little creativity to ensure that you are getting proper nutrition. In the Pacific Northwest region, I believe vegetarians have a better than average chance of eating healthier than ever!