03-31-22

by New Earth
1

Spring Into Seasonal Eating

Spring is finally here! The days are getting longer, the flowers are blooming, and the sun is shining more. Best of all, spring produce is coming into season, which means you can replace those hearty winter meals with ones filled with produce that is light, bright, colorful, and fresh!

Cooking and eating seasonally comes with a variety of benefits. It helps ensure that your meals are as fresh and flavorful as possible. It is more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and allows you to support farmers in your local area. Plus, in-season produce is often less processed and packs a stronger nutritional punch. It really is a win all the way around!

So what is in season during the spring? We’re glad you asked! Here are just a few of our favorites, but keep in mind that this can vary a little depending on where you live, which is why your local Farmer’s Market is one of the best places to purchase produce. 

Spring Fruit

  • Cherries: They are grown in warmer areas and are typically ready to harvest starting in May. 
  • Grapefruit: Grapefruit often comes into season as early as January and stays in season until early summer. 
  • Lemons: This is another fruit that comes into season in winter and stays around until early summer. 
  • Strawberries: In certain areas, strawberries are grown for a majority of the year, but spring is when they are at their peak. 
  • Pineapple: If you’ve been craving a tropical fruit, then we have good news–pineapple is at its prime during the spring months. 

Spring Vegetables

  • Leafy greens: Kale, spinach, and lettuce all grow in different climates and come into season during the spring months. 
  • Asparagus: Depending on the region, asparagus is usually harvested from March to June. 
  • Beets: They are one of the rare vegetables that come into season in the fall and stay that way through the spring. Look for beets that still have their greens attached–those are often the freshest. 
  • Mushrooms: Morels and chanterelles are available in the spring. If you’re in an area where they are abundant, you can either forage for them yourself or pick some up at your local Farmer’s Market. 
  • Peas: No matter what kind of peas you prefer (garden, snow, snap, etc), you can always find them throughout the spring months, and oftentimes even well into the summer. 

Spring Herbs

Herbs often seem to be seasonless, as they can be grown year-round in temperate climates. However, some herbs seem to come to life when the weather starts to get warmer. 

  • Mint
  • Chives
  • Parsley
  • Dill
  • Basil

Spring-Inspired Recipes To Try 

Stumped on how to use some of these in-season items in your meals? Let us offer a little inspiration with these healthy, spring-inspired recipes that we found.

Risotto with Asparagus and Lemon 

This recipe combines asparagus, lemon, peas, and parsley with other wholesome ingredients to make a delicious vegan risotto. Get the recipe here.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing 

This easy-to-make dressing is healthier than the store-bought alternatives and would make a great topping for a spring salad made with fresh, leafy greens and topped with your favorite in-season vegetables. Get the recipe here.

Pineapple Kiwi Mint Smoothie 

You know we love a good smoothie! This tropical spring smoothie only has 5 ingredients, and 3 of them are currently in season! Plus, you can make it even better by adding a little Wild Algae Blend. Get the recipe here.  

Embrace what nature has to offer and spring into seasonal eating! So go ahead, hit up your local Farmer’s Market and fill your plate with delicious and nutritious in-season produce. Your body (and taste buds) will thank you for it.