Melissa's Everyday Cooking with Organic Produce

Cathy Thomas is the award-winning food columnist at the Orange County Register. She also writes for magazines, teaches cooking, and has studied with chefs around the globe. She is the author of Melissa's Great Book of Produce (Wiley) and lives in Huntington Beach with her husband, Phil McCullough.

Apple. Ambrosia (October to February). Braeburn (October to August). Crimson Gold (October to February). Fuji (October to August). Gala (Year-Round). Golden Delicious (September to April). Granny Smith (Year-Round). Pink Lady (September to January). Red Delicious (Year-Round). Apricot (April to June). Artichoke (Year-Round, peaks March to July). Asian Pear (Year-Round). Asparagus (Year-Round). Avocado (Year-Round). Banana (Year-Round). Bean. Fava (March to June). Green (Year-Round). Soy Bean "Edamame" (Year-Round). Beet (Year-Round). Red (common). Gold. Bell Pepper (Year-Round). Green. Red. Yellow. Berry. Blackberries (June to April, peak season June and July). Blueberries (Year-Round, peak season June and July). Cranberries (October to December). Raspberries (April to December). Strawberries (February to August). Broccoli (Year-Round). Brussels Sprout (November to May, peak season November to February). Cabbage (Year-Round). Green. Red. Carrot (Year-Round). Cauliflower (Year-Round). Celery (Year-Round). Cherry (May to August). Corn (June to August). Bicolor. White. Yellow. Cucumber (Year-Round). Common. English (Hothouse). Eggplant (May to Aug). Globe. Fennel (Year-Round). Fig. Black Mission (June to October). Brown Turkey (June to October). Kadota: (August to October). Garlic (Year-Round). Ginger (Year-Round). Grape. Green (March to October). Red (March to October). Grapefruit (Year-Round). Greens (Year-Round, peaks late spring to early summer). Chard (green, rainbow, Swiss red). Collard. Dandelion. Kale. Mustard. Spinach (mature, baby). Herbs (Year-Round). Arugula. Basil. Chives. Cilantro. Dill. Mint. Oregano. Parsley (curly, Italian). Rosemary. Sage. Thyme. Jicama (Year-Round). Kiwi (Year-Round). Kumquat (December to May). Leek (Year-Round, peak season spring). Lemon (September to July, peak season December to February). Lettuce (Year-Round, peaks late spring and early summer). Butter. Green Leaf. Iceberg. Red Leaf. Romaine. Lime (Year-Round, peaks May to July). Mango. Ataulfo (February to March). Haden (Year-Round). Kent (Year-Round). Tommy Atkins (Year-Round). Melon. Cantaloupe (Year-Round). Honeydew (Year-Round). Watermelon, Mini Watermelon (June to September). Mushroom (Year-Round). Crimini (cremini). Common White. Portobello. Shiitake. Nectarine (May to September). White Flesh. Yellow Flesh. Onion. Cipolline (September to November). Green (Scallion) (Year-Round). Red, White (Year-Round). Sweet (March to August). Yellow (Year-Round). Orange. Blood (December to February). Cara Cara (December to January). Navel (November to March). Valencia (February to December). Peach. Saturn (June to August). White Flesh (June to September). Yellow Flesh (May to September). Pear. Bartlett (August to April). Bosc (September to June). D?Anjou (October to July). Red Bartlett (August to April). Starcrimson: August to January. Pea. Sno peas (December to March, June to July). Sugar snap peas (February to December). Persimmon (October to December). Fuyu. Hachiya. Pineapple (Year-Round). Plum/Plumcot. Plum (May to October). Plumcot (May to August). Pomegranate (August to mid December). Potato. Baby, Creamer (September to May). Fingerling (September to March). Red, Russet, Yukon Gold (Year-Round). Radish (Year-Round). Shallot (August to April). Squash (Year-Round). Acorn. Butternut. Crookneck. Kabocha. Spaghetti. Zucchini. Sweet Potato (Year-Round, peak season September to February). Tangerine, Mandarin. Clementine (November to January). Honey (February). Lee (January to February). Minneola Tangelo (February to April). Orlando Tangelo (November to January). Page (December to January). Satsuma (November to January). Tomato. Baby Heirloom (July to August). Cherry (Year-Round). Common Red (Beefsteak) (Year-Round). Grape (Year-Round). Heirloom (Year-Round). Red (Cluster, On-the-Vine (Year-Round). Roma (Plum) (Year-Round). Teardrop (red or yellow) (Year-Round). Turnip (Year-Round).