Seasonal Produce Guide: Spring
Spring is the season of renewal, and there’s no better way to embrace new beginnings than by incorporating fresh, seasonal produce into your cooking. From delicate greens to juicy strawberries, spring produce is all about bright, fresh flavors.
To honor what’s seasonal, we’ve curated a list highlighting our favorite spring fruits and vegetables that details what to shop for, how to pick them out and what to make.
Hungry for more? Explore our cooking classes to learn tips and tricks from our chefs and new ways to use all of your fresh, seasonal produce!
ARUGULA
Recipe to Try: Pear and Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Arugula’s a leafy green that thrives in cooler temperatures.
Look for bright green leaves that are crisp and fresh, with no signs of wilting or discoloration. We love this recipe because it highlights arugula’s peppery flavor and crisp texture, complemented by the sweet tartness of pear and pomegranate.
Get the Pear and Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette Recipe!
ARTICHOKES
Recipe to Try: Braised Artichokes with Fennel and Olives
Artichokes are a delicious, hearty vegetable that find their peak in spring.
Look for artichokes that are heavy and firm, with tightly packed leaves and no browning or discoloration. This recipe uses the braising method to ensure the artichokes are tender and flavorfully bathed in fennel, olives, garlic and thyme.
ASPARAGUS
Recipe to Try: Asparagus Bisque with Black Pepper Crème Fraîche
Asparagus is the quintessential spring vegetable, with its tender stalks and delicate flavor.
Look for firm, bright-green spears with tightly closed tips, avoiding any that are wilted or dry. Delicious, creamy, and perfect for spring, we like to blend these beauties into a puree, then top with a dollop of black pepper crème fraîche.
Get the Asparagus Bisque with Black Pepper Crème Fraîche Recipe!
MANGOES
Recipe to Try: Mango Smoothie
Mangoes are native to South Asia, with the widest selection of varieties available in spring.
When selecting mangoes, look for ones that are plump and heavy. Ripe mangoes will give slightly when gently pressed. For this recipe, you’ll chop your mangoes into chunks and toss them in a blender with vanilla yogurt, water, an orange and ice. An easy escape to the tropics.
PEAS
Recipe to Try: Spring Pea Risotto
Peas are another staple of spring, whether you prefer snap peas, snow peas or English peas.
Fresh peas should be bright green and plump, with no wrinkles or discolorations. This risotto recipe features the sweet tenderness of sugar snap peas stirred in slowly with Arborio rice, Parmesan, and a sprinkling of mint and parsley for a bright, refreshing finish.
PINEAPPLE
Recipe to Try: Pineapple and Shrimp Red Curry
Pineapples are native to South America, where they hit their peak in spring.
You’ll want to pick a pineapple that’s heavy for its size with a fragrant aroma. It should have firm, slightly yielding skin that’s free of soft spots or bruises. You’ll want a ripe one to caramelize, which brings out the pineapple’s natural sweetness and adds a depth of flavor to this curry.
RADISHES
Recipe to Try: Flatbread with Radishes, Feta, and Spring Herbs
When late spring brings the first flush of tender herbs, edible flowers and mild radishes, this Persian hors d’oeuvre should be in your repertoire.
Look for radishes that are firm and brightly colored, with no soft spots or cracks. You’ll be topping your flatbread with thinly sliced radishes, crumbled feta cheese and a variety of fresh herbs like chives, parsley and dill.
Get the Flatbread with Radishes, Feta, and Spring Herbs Recipe!
RHUBARB
Recipe to Try: Rhubarb Upside Down Cake
Prime harvesting for rhubarb is early spring.
When selecting rhubarb, look for firm and crisp stalks that are brightly colored, with no signs of wilting or discoloration. In this recipe, we caramelize juicy, tart rhubarb in a buttery, sugary mixture, creating a delicious topping that becomes the bottom of a delicious cake.
SPINACH
Recipe to Try: Spinach Salad with Caramelized Pears and Goat Cheese
Spinach prefers cooler temperatures and can tolerate some frost, making it a hearty crop that extends itself well into spring.
When selecting spinach, look for bright green leaves that are crisp and tender, with no signs of yellowing or wilting. In this recipe, we’ll toss this lovely veg in a homemade mustard vinaigrette and top with seared pears and goat cheese crumbles.
Get the Spinach Salad with Caramelized Pears and Goat Cheese Recipe!
STRAWBERRIES
Recipe to Try: Individual Strawberry Galettes
Sweet, juicy strawberries are a highlight of spring produce.
Pick berries that are plump and firm for these hand-formed tarts. Beautifully rustic and easy to make, these strawberry galettes are baked until golden brown and topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Get the Individual Strawberry Galettes Recipe!
Hungry for more? Explore our cooking classes to learn tips and tricks from our chefs and new ways to use all of your fresh, seasonal produce!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION