It's never too early to start making baby food

By A'Dell

I had a baby in May, which means she'll be ready for solid foods sometime this fall. You know, right about the time all the gorgeous summer produce disappears and gets really expensive because they fly it up from South America? 

In an effort to avoid $6 strawberries in October, I've been buying produce at the top of the season when prices are low and the fruit tastes spectacular. I'm even trying my best to make sure it's local (though I don't always succeed).

Baby food is a snap to make with a saucepan, food processor and some ice cube trays. I never bought any special containers or a Beaba BabyCook, (even though I so totally wanted one because it looked even EASIER to make with that sucker). I have quite a lot already frozen and in Ziploc bags, which I have to tell you gives me an odd peace of mind: one less thing to do later. I also figure if the baby ends up hating the six dozen cubes of blueberries I've prepared, I can use them in smoothies for me. (Also? What a rude baby! Does she know how much time Mommy spent on those cubes of blueberries?!) (I kid. Of course a baby isn't rude. She's just particular.)

It's not too late to get started. Hit up the farmer's market and your local grocer. If you spy a great deal on some nice summer fruit, snap it up and get it in the freezer for your kiddos later this winter. I've even found great deals (on local produce!) at Costco and Walmart so you don't necessarily have to seek it out at specialty locations, which, who has time for extra trips to random grocery stores anyway? Let's be serious.

Comments

[Kim]

Ok, this is slightly embarrassing because I have a toddler already and have been through the baby-food-stage.... BUT! Can I ask how you are freezing all of the fruits? Pureeing them first and then putting them in ice-trays? Or what? Thanks for any info. :) :)

[Chicken Nuggets and Elmo]

I have a 2 year old and I am totally past this stage but I couldn't help but fall in love with this product:

http://weanmeister.com.au/

We might be trying for kid #2, so I thought if I ordered some they wouldn't totally be wasted. Only problem is, they don't ship to the US so I had to order a whole case (uh, and I did). They are also pretty versatile and I've used a couple trays for art projects. But they'd be fantastic for baby food puree especially because they have a lid. A lot of other similar containers don't have lids!