Meatless Monday: What's Springing Up This Season?

 

Meatless Monday Blog

What's Springing Up This Season?

Well, we've survived a long, cold winter and thankfully, spring is right around the corner!  This is always an exciting time of year, as we watch things begin to grow and turn green again.  It also means a change in what fruits and vegetables are now in season.  As we continue to create delicious recipes this for Meatless Mondays that are chock full of fruits and veggies, it helps to know what produce is in season and is best to put on your shopping list to get the best flavor and value.  This handy list of what's springing up this season should give you a good start!  

• Artichokes are mainly harvested in the spring when the largest thistles are available. Look for artichokes with tight, compact leaves and fresh-cut stem ends.  To store artichokes, keep them loosely wrapped in plastic in the fridge. Fresh artichokes will last up to a week, but are best the sooner after harvest they are used. Click here for a great artichoke recipe.
• Fava beans are a Mediterranean favorite available from early spring through summer.  They come in soft green pods that yield tender, sweet, spring-y beans perfect in salads and other spring-time dishes.  Although shelling fava beans can sometimes be a lot of work, yummy recipes like this one make it all worthwhile.
• New potatoes are freshly harvested young, or small, potatoes that have paper-thin skins and lots of moisture inside.  Their high moisture content helps new potatoes keep their shape when they're cooked, making them ideal for potato salads like this Classic American Potato Salad.
• Apricots start coming into season towards the end of spring and grow in warmer climates.  Look for plump-looking apricots that feel heavy for their size. They may be yellow or orange or even have a blush of red, but avoid apricots that have any green on them. Fresh apricots are delicious eaten right out of your hand off the pit. You can also halve and grill them, or slice them and serve on ice cream.
• Peas come into season in the spring and continue in most areas well into summer.  This includes varieties of peas such as snow peas, snap peas, garden peas, etc.  Try this recipe that pairs them with carrots and adds a sweet touch.
  
• In many areas, rhubarb is the first fruit of spring.  When buying rhubarb, look for heavy stalks with shiny skin.  Rhubarb's tart fruitiness makes it perfect in sweet and savory dishes, and desserts like this Rhubarb Crisp.
  

Be sure to follow Meatless Monday Indy on Facebook and Twitter to get more info on spring produce and great recipe ideas to try.  Happy Spring!

 

 Akilah Webster, CWUW Interim Board of Directors Chair, Meatless Monday Committee Chair