Do you have spring fever yet? Are you counting the days until bundles of green reappear at your farmer's markets? For those of us who will be waiting for weeks before the first stalk of asparagus pokes its head out of the ground, here's a roundup of favorite spring produce to help hold us over. What are you most looking forward to?
This time of year is difficult for a Midwesterner. Recipes for spring produce are popping up everywhere but the local produce options are even more scarce than they were in December. And while temperatures have started to rise, we know they'll inevitably drop back down again before spring truly arrives.
It's the final stretch of winter, but it seems to be the hardest. Would you agree? What produce can't you wait to snatch up as soon as it arrives in your local market? What spring recipes can't you wait to try?
Tell us all about it in the comments. You'll feel better if you do. We promise.
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all of them. but, especially fiddleheads!
Definitely asparagus - but most of all rhubarb... the few stalks that we have in the garden are just about poking through the soil!!
I cannot wait for strawberries. I am actually planning a big brunch that will be pretty much just a couple flats of strawberries. My favorite farmer should have some awesome red onions soon, but nothing beats a good strawberry...
Ramps. Strawberries. Asparagus. Chives.
Top 5: Morels, ramps, asparagus, rhubarb, and peas!
Asparagus and rhubarb have always been my favorites in spring. I got my first bunch of asparagus from CSA box last week and I couldn't be happier thinking.... spring is finally here!!!
asparagus, rhubarb, radishes, strawberries, and peas (though I think of them as more of a late spring / early summer crop)
fiddleheads!
My favorites are artichokes, asparagus, strawberries and favas. Although this year I've vowed to not bother with the fava beans-they just take too much time.
I picked up strawberries, radishes, and arugula last weekend and my little pot of chives is out of control. Early springs are the best part of the south, but I know that come August when everyone else is swimming in zucchini and tomatoes I'll be jealously gnawing on my nopales. Nom.
We've had asparagus and strawberries at the farmer's market here for weeks
Oh, California ;)
Okra---Cut when the pod is the size of a lady's ring finger. Rolled in corn meal and FRIED. Yellow squash---rolled in corn meal and FRIED. New red potatoes---steamed tender and rolled in butter :) Black eyed peas---shelled and cooked with a ham hock, and chopped onions added last to still be tender-crisp when served. Buttered corn bread, with pencil-thin green onions along side.
Simple. Jersey Royal New Potateso. These are the greatest potatoes ever. They come from the Channel islands just of the UK and have a short season and are a bit pricey, but my God are they good. Boil and serve with butter, salt and pepper (be generous with the salt). Have them with anything you want, doesn't really matter as they are the star of the show.
Starting now I start looking for them to appear in the shops. Soon as they do, I pounce and hug them close and a large smile comes across my face. I'm sorry but every other choice is wrong. Fact.
Asparagus Asparagus Asparagus!! I am so excited, yummy yum. I need to branch out, but I love some fresh asparagus. Going to the farmer's market on Sunday, so excited!!
http://www.abbeycatchat.com
Radishes. I never appreciated them until last spring when my CSA kept giving us tons of them. Homemade bread, European butter, sliced radishes, and a sprinkling of flavored salt. Divine.
Fiddleheads and ramps are something I've never seen here. Maybe the big Whole Foods will have them.
PEAS PEAS PEAS!!
PEAS! And the very first new potatoes.
edible spring blossoms, bitter melons
The morels, ramps, and fiddleheads from foraging, my gosh, I can't wait to get out there! The wild food posts from Kathryn out in temperate CA kills me!
Also rhubarb, asparagus, chives, fava beans and spring lamb.
Plus we fire up the grill the minute it gets nice outside so does food off the grill count?
I know spring has really arrived when Jersey Royal potatoes appear in the shops. And summer is only here when English Strawberries arrive.
How do you use fern? I've never heard of this before
@ mariyaodessa: fiddlehead ferns have a flavor and firm texture reminiscent of asparagus so you can use them in the same kinds of dishes.
Now that I only eat local food, I sit around craving asparagus as soon as it gets warm out. Which will still be a while as I live in Canada. Also wanting some spinach.
I'm excited for the fiddleheads:
http://theweekendgourmande.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/kitchen-firsts-fiddlehead-ferns-with-linguine/
and the artichokes!
http://theweekendgourmande.wordpress.com/2010/03/14/kitchen-firsts-steaming-an-artichoke/
and i'm looking forward to the markets opening so i can get in on the spring garlic and asparagus and radish and pea market! hooray spring!
I hate to say it, but most spring veggies are just eh for me. I mean, I like them, I eat them, but no swooning at the farmer's market until tomato and basil season for me! My husband knows that when I walk into the market and smell basil, we're going home broke. :)
Oh jeez. We ran through the food hall at Harrod's this week, and there was all kinds of asparagus and rhubarb. (Amongst other things!) I can't wait for good, fresh veg.
New potatoes and white (!) asparagus. Don't care for the green stuff, but white asparagus truly is the king of veg.
Top 5: Morels, ramps, asparagus, rhubarb, and peas!
Agreed! Just add green garlic and pea tendrils....
radish, salad greens, chillies!! how I've missed green chillies.