What’s in Season Right Now? (Spring 2016)

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What’s in Season Right Now? (Spring 2016)

Seasonality of what you consume is more important than ever. Not only are restaurants adopting the practice of creating dishes that use ingredients that are in season, but many grocery stores are also beginning to do the same.
One of the most important things you can do is to arm yourself with the knowledge of what’s in season during certain months so you can make the most out of the produce.
In-season produce not only tastes better, but you’re also supporting the local farmers and eliminating your carbon footprint by minimizing orders for items that aren’t available in your area, but are grown across the world and have to be shipped.
Here’s what’s in season during Spring 2016.
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Asparagus

A great indicator of the fact that spring has arrived! Asapargus is great raw or cooked, but especially sauteed or grilled. These recipes below have the delightful vegetable as the star of the show.
Try these recipes:
Sautéed Asparagus and Peas
Asparagus and Orange Salad with Ginger Dressing
Sichuan-Style Asparagus and Tofu Salad
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Kale

No, we’re not tired of kale yet. In addition to being chock full of vitamins and minerals, kale is just one of those classic vegetables that’s always good to have on hand. Try these unique kale recipes below.
Try these recipes:
Collard Greens and Kale Pesto
Kale-and-Sausage Hand Pies
Chorizo & Kale Hash with a Fried Egg
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Radishes

Adding radish to any dish is a great way to kick it up a notch without adding spices that may push your dish over the edge, plus adding a bit of freshness to it. Raw or cooked, radishes are colorful and delicious.
Try these recipes:
Radish and Avocado Sandwich
Sautéed Radishes with Bacon
Red Cabbage and Radish Slaw
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Rhubarb

Pucker up! If you want a rhubarb pie, this is the time to do it. Try some other recipes that really show off rhubarb’s awesome tartness.
Try these recipes:
Strawberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie
Rhubarb-Buttermilk Tea Cake
Strawberry Rhubarb Yogurt Pops
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Spinach

Another classic green that can be cooked or eaten raw. Plus, it’s full of vitamins and minerals, specially iron, making it a staple for those who have iron deficiencies.
Try these recipes:
Spinach & Walnut Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Parmesan Spinach Cakes
Garlic Sauteed Spinach
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Fennel

The licoricey flavor of fennel is undeniable and adds depth to any dish. When in season, fennel is sweeter and more fragrant.
Try these recipes:
Orange, Fennel, and Olive Salad with Red Pepper Flakes
Roasted Fennel with Parmesan
Caramelized Fennel and Fig Pizza
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Morels

You can get mushrooms almost any time of the year nowadays, but there’s something decadent about morels. Take advantage of this time of year and eat all of the morels you can!
Try these recipes:
Crispy Fried Mushrooms
Chicken with Morels
Morels with Mint, Peas, and Shallot
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Fiddleheads

Covet these bad boys—they aren’t around for long! Decorative and tasty, fiddleheads are a treat to have during the limited time they’re around.
Try these recipes:
Sauteed Fiddlehead Ferns
Fiddlehead Omelette
Fiddlehead and Saffron Soup

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Parsnips

This root vegetable is a great alternative to your standard carrots or potatoes, plus its versatility gives it all the more reason for you to try the recipes below.
Try these recipes:
Sauteed Parsnips and Carrots with Honey and Rosemary
Baked Parsnip Fries with Rosemary
Roasted Parsnips and Carrots
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Ramps

Colorful with a bit of bite, ramps is a great way to liven up your meal. It can be used as a side, but it can also be the main focus of your dish.
Try these recipes:
Ramp and Chorizo Quesadillas
Caramelized Ramps
Spaghetti with Ramps
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Sticking to seasonal foods can be tough; it’s not the easiest to stick to things that only have a window of a few months.
With Urban Cultivator, you can grow a variety of herbs, vegetables, and microgreens in as little as seven days. The best part, though, is that seasons don’t matter; you can grow anything, anytime.
What are your favorite vegetables during the winter season? Let us know in the comments section!