By Katie Goodman
The signs of spring are showing in the produce section of the grocery store and I couldn’t be happier. I am ready to say farewell to root vegetables and hearty meals in favor of lighter, fresher-tasting fruits and vegetables now that winter is coming to a close.
Despite many fruits and vegetables being available year-round, it is important to learn what is in season where you live.
Cooking with Seasonal Ingredients
Want to save yourself money in the kitchen? Not only do the season’s finest fruits and vegetables offer the best nutritional value, they also cost less. Adding fresh, in-season produce to your diet maximizes nutrients and adds diversity to your meals.
Asparagus is at its prime in the spring, and because it is so readily abundant often finds a place on your grocery store’s sale flier. Out-of-season produce is expensive and deficient in flavor.
Seasonal produce may often be available from local sources, depending on where you live, such as farmer’s markets and pick-your-own-produce farms. Additionally, you can experiment with growing your own produce when you know what grows during which season.
Knowing what produce is available during spring allows you to plan your meals and menus accordingly, taking advantage of fresh, delicious produce at optimal prices. It doesn’t take much to make fresh produce taste great.
Popular Spring Produce
No matter where you get your produce from – the local farmer’s market, your backyard garden, or the grocery store – take advantage of spring’s delicious offerings and fresh flavors.
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Carrots
- Chives
- Fennel
- Grapefruit
- Green onion
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Mushrooms
- Peas
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Watercress
Spring Recipes to Try
- Individual Strawberry Rhubarb Buckle
- Gingered Carrot Muffins
- Linguini with Lemon-Roasted Asparagus and Goat Cheese
- White Bean Hummus with Spinach
- Shrimp Scampi with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Artichokes
- Baked Potatoes with Balsamic Caramelized Onion and Mushroom
- The Best Shaker Lemon Pie
About the Author:
Katie Goodman blogs at goodLife {eats} where she shares what she finds good in the kitchen and in life through recipes, family memories, and yummy photography. She also works as a freelance food writer and photographer for various sites. Outside of cooking, Katie loves reading, gardening, visiting family, and attending the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she resides with her husband and two children.
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