We are shaking off the cold weather here, and it’s time to gear up for spring! There may still be some cold days, but the thaw is on and soon new things will grow. One of the best parts of spring is the new fresh produce available at the farmer’s market! Do you know what foods are seasonally fresh for spring? If not, don’t worry – here’s a list of some of them!

Seasonal Spring Produce

• Apricots
• Arugula
• Artichokes
• Avocados
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Chives
• Dandelion greens
• Fennel
• Fiddleheads
• Leeks
• Mangoes
• Morel mushrooms
• Peas
• Pineapples
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Rhubarb
• Spinach
• Watercress

That’s quite a lot of different fruit and vegetables – just think of all the different meals you could make! There are some recipes on our site that could help you out with ideas, but here’s some favourites to get you started.

Artichoke is perfect for a rich soup or a hot dip for an appetizer. The flavour is earthy and deep, perfect for when there’s still a chill in the air. The smell of artichoke roasting is sure to make your house smell like a gourmet restaurant! A springtime pilaf is sure to get you thinking of all the new growth to come.

It seems funny to think that carrots and potatoes have a season, when they’re so readily available all year round. But you can get really fresh root vegetables in springtime. Fresh carrots and potatoes are much more flavourful. They are best for frying!

Fennel and leeks are great aromatic vegetables that add a lot of flavor to soups, stews, and more. The smell of them is so fresh, you’re sure to know that it’s springtime again! Fennel is not the same plant as anise, surprisingly. They taste and smell almost identical! Leeks are a bit more oniony, as they are basically big green onions. Typically, only the light and white part of the leek are eaten, but the tougher dark greens are perfect for flavouring stocks and soups.

Fiddleheads are a unique spring vegetable – they are young fronds of a type of fern! In Canada, they are of the Ostrich fern. They need to be washed well and fully cooked before eating, but they are truly a delicacy, traditional for the East coast of Canada. Gourmets recommend to steam them until they are tender-crisp for the most authentic flavour!

Hopefully you are inspired to bring more fresh and healthy produce into your diet with these delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables. It certainly makes it more obvious that the spring season is upon us, even if it’s still a bit chilly out. Soon, flowers will be blooming and we’ll be ready to have a picnic with delicious homemade food!