14 Foods In Season For Spring and How to Eat Them
A regional guide to shopping for and cooking your springtime produce
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For many of us, spring reveals itself through the food we begin to see on our tables, at our grocery stores, and stocked at our market stalls. In the 21st century, our produce is no longer limited to local or regional eating because technology connects us with food that grows all over the world. However, the mass production and the global distribution of food is a highly unsustainable process. In order to stock grocery stores with fruit and vegetables from varied agricultural regions, our food systems are wasting large amounts of water (and crops) and releasing carbon emissions along the way. Not to mention, food access itself is a major social issue across the planet and food insecurity impacts millions of people here in the United States.
Fortunately, by investing in our local communities and opting for local and seasonal eating, we can push for more sustainable and ethical food systems. More than ever, the accessibility of farmers' markets is making fresh seasonal produce more available to their communities, allowing more people to participate in seasonal and regional eating than ever before. To motivate more sustainable baddies to join the farm share and farmer’s market world, we created a seasonal produce guide to help you kick off your susty spring! Follow along to find out the basics on what’s in season in your region, how to find it, and of course, what the heck to make with all your fresh new food!
Find more in-season foods all year round!
1. Kale
Where to find it: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C.
What to make?
Gluten-Free Kale and Kimchi Pancakes: keep your eyes peeled for kimchi at your farmers' markets too – many farms make their own delicious fermented vegetables.
2. Asparagus
Where to find it: Texas, Washington, California, Oregon, Illinois, Florida, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Hawaii
What to make?
Creamy One Pot Pasta with Mushrooms and Asparagus: this recipe incorporates tons of seasonal ingredients, including mushrooms, onions, and more!
3. Strawberries
Where to find it: Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, New Mexico, Hawaii, Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, Alabama
What to make?
Strawberry Jalapeño Margaritas: It’s never too early to start with your summery drinks! Make this one to ring in your spring break.
4. Mushrooms
Where to find it: Basically…everywhere!
What to make?
Mushroom Stew with Cauliflower Mash: Also includes cauliflower, and fresh seasonal herbs too!
Vegan Empanadas With Mushrooms in Mole: Includes onions and garlic, in season all year round!
5. Ramps & Scallions
Where to find it: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.
What to make?
Noodle Bowl with Kale and Scallion Green Sauce: Uses kale, another seasonal vegetable!
Indonesian Mie Goreng Noodles: Don’t forget to get your mushrooms, and bok choy local too!
6. Parsnips, Turnips, Rutabaga
Where to find it: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, Washington, D.C.
What to make?
Tfaya-Inspired Veggie Tagine with Prunes: incorporate all your favorite in-season root vegetables in this spicy and warm dish.
Roasted Turnips and Winter Squash With Agave Glaze: stock up on yummy in-season herbs like sage for this recipe too!
7. Beets
Where to find it: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Wyoming
What to make?
Beet Polenta with Mushrooms and Chard: all the components of this dish can be found throughout the U.S. this spring, so don’t skimp on local finds!
Balanced Maple Mustard Tempeh Bowl: this recipe is perfect for improvisation, so incorporate whatever leafy greens and roasting veggies you can find from your market.
8. Cauliflower and Broccoli
Where to find it: Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Vermont
What to make?
Vegan Broccoli and Cheddar Soup: who said soup season was over? Certainly not us! Not vegan? Get your cheese and milk from local farms for a more eco-friendly dairy option.
9. Carrots
Where to find it: Alabama, Florida, California, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, South Carolina, Virginia, Wyoming
What to make?
10. Bok Choy
Where to find it: California, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee
What to make?
11. Summer Squash & Zucchini
Where to find it: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina
What to make?
12. Herbs: Rosemary, Mint, Sage
Where to find it: Basically everywhere!
What to make?
Rosemary Brown Butter Sugar Cookies: No rules for herbs here, have fun with this seasonal vegetable and put them in something yummy and sweet!
13. Microgreens & Sprouts
Where to find it: Basically everywhere!
What to make?
Parmesan and Ricotta Cheese Pizza with Pistachios and Micro Greens: this pizza can easily be made vegetarian-friendly to please a whole crowd and the microgreens and sprouts add great texture!
14. Citrus
Where to find it: Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Hawaii
What to make?
Don’t forget to research your local markets and farms before you shop! Sometimes markets offer other outstanding services that help minimize our carbon footprints. Many markets provide compost services and curricular waste programs so you can collect your food in the same containers every week. Be sure to look out for deal programs that can help you save money at your markets too. If you have a little extra time and love to give, check out opportunities to volunteer and support the organizations that are helping make sustainable and ethical food available to all.
We made a list of some popular CSA programs, farmers’ markets, and relevant resources for you to check out, but feel free to share your favs with us in the comments below!
New York: Grow NYC Green Markets, Farm stands, and Farm Boxes, Local Roots Harvest Club CSA
Philadelphia: The Food Trust Farmers Markets, Philly Food Works, Riverwards Produce Markets
New Jersey: Chickadee Creek Farm Share, New Jersey Farmers Markets
Boston: Brookwood Community Farm Share, Siena Farms at the Boston Public Market, Boston Farmers Market Guide
Los Angeles: 2024 Farmer’s Market Guide, Los Angeles Area Produce Boxes
Oregon: Oregon Farmers Market: Find your Market, Find a CSA in Oregon
Not in these cities? No fear! Check out this resource online for finding farm shares and markets near you:
Find markets and farm shares near you with Local Harvest Market and CSA finder!
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So ready for bok choy spring
those rosemary brown butter cookies sound amazing! I will have to add them to my "must bake" list.
the spring herb I can't get enough of is sorrel — which is just coming to farmers' markets in NYC this week! it's amazing in soup, in a gremolata, occasionally by the handful...