Almost all produce in Israel is locally grown, and thus seasonal. Over the past year, plus, I have created a calendar of when foods first become available at Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda Market.
The calendar below (click pictures for larger images) just marks when the seasons begin. Some produce stays in season for a long time, some very short. The calendar below is approximate, and I will try to update. It is not comprehensive, but comes close.
After the monthly calendar, I also list the produce alphabetically, so you can search to find out when something specific comes into season.
Available Year-Round
Some produce in Israel is available (more or less) the whole year, either due to different varietals, greenhouse cultivation or storage. And there is a small portion of imported produce, also lengthening seasons.Even though these fruits and vegetables are always available, there are still better times to buy them. For example, apples are better in fall and early winter, citrus fruits and root vegetables in winter, tomatoes in late spring/early summer, etc.
Apples, Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Citrus Fruits, Cucumbers, Eggplants, Fennel, Garlic (dried), Grapes, Lettuce, Melons (they sell many varieties, all simply sold as “melon,” that ripen throughout the year), Mushrooms, Onions, Potatoes, Radishes, Scallions, Summer Squash (normal dark-green zucchini isn’t always available, but other varieties are), Tomatoes.
January
Mangold, Pomelo
Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, clementines, grapefruits) are starting to hit their prime.
February
Asparagus, Bok Choy, Cardoon, Hass Avocado (other avocados are available before and after), Kumquat
Late February
Chamomile, Fava Beans, Loquat, Passionfruit, Pea, Rhubarb
March
Fresh Almond, Blood Orange, Fresh Chickpea, Grape Leaves
Late March
Baby Eggplant, Corn (available, but not very good until June), Fresh Garlic (not dried, available starting a few weeks before Passover)
April
Papaya
Late April
Cherry, Green Sour Plums, Nectarine, Peach, Watermelon, Winter Squashes (e.g. acorn, butternut, kobocha/Japanese pumpkin)
May
Akub (Hebrew/Arabic name, aka Gundelia or Thorn Thistle – a type of small wild artichoke), Apricot, Okra, Pineapple (tiny now, bigger in a few months), Plum, Wax Bean
June
Fig, Lychee
July
Blackberry, Mango, Raspberry
Late July
Pomegranate
August
Avocado, Dragonfruit, Fresh Date, Jujube, Quince, Sabra (Prickly Pear/Cactus Fruit)
September
Banana, Lime, Pear
October
Carambola/Star Fruit, Custard Apple/Annona, Guava, Kiwi, Persimmon, Raw Olives (for home pickling)
Root vegetables starting to get large.
November
Baby Artichoke, Strawberry
December
Artichoke
Alphabetical list of Produce in Season
Acorn Squash – Late April |
Jujube – August |