A Guide to Spring Produce in New York

Shop the Best Seasonal Produce in New York This Spring!

One of the best things about spring in NYC is checking out all the local farmer’s markets and bringing home a bunch of the freshest veggies available (peak fruit season isn’t until summer). After such a long winter – and we mean long – it’s nice to finally have a taste of the warmer months available at our fingertips and tastebuds. Grab that reusable tote, make your way to your nearest farmers market, and load up on healthy ingredients for the week. Here’s a list of the best seasonal produce in New York to get you started.

Asparagus

Whether it’s sautéed with some garlic butter, steamed with lemon, shaved into a salad, or topped with a creamy hollandaise sauce, asparagus is a classic springtime favorite.

Beet Greens

If you tend to buy beets, only to throw the greens away, stop immediately. This farmers market staple is packed with vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron – the perfect alternative to Swiss chard and spinach. Sauté some beet greens with a bit of olive oil and garlic for the perfect weeknight side dish.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb season typically runs from April through June. Stock up now and freeze some for later, when summer strawberries are at their juiciest. (Strawberry rhubarb pie, anyone?)

Ramps

When true foodies think of the best seasonal produce in New York during spring, ramps usually come to mind. Not familiar? For starters, ramps are a wild onion grown in the Northeastern part of the U.S. With a balanced taste somewhere between garlic and onion (more pungent than leeks but milder than normal onions), ramps are edible from the bulbs to the broad leaves. A quick internet search will give you plenty of ideas of what to do with a beautiful bunch of ramps, but ramp pesto, pickled ramp bulbs, and a simple pizza topped with sautéed ramps and goat cheese are all winners.

Fiddlehead Ferns

As one of the first signs of spring, fiddlehead ferns are iconic to the New England area. These greens are the furled fronds of young ferns, giving them a tightly coiled appearance and a taste similar to asparagus. Since fiddlehead season is so short, these veggies tend to be on the pricier side and a favorite of gourmet chefs.

Morels

Foraging for morel mushrooms is no easy feat, so being able to purchase them while they’re in season in New York is a real luxury. Try tossing some morels with your favorite pasta for a fancy Italian night in or enjoy them fried with homemade garlic aioli.

Radishes

Who doesn’t love the crunch and color of fresh radishes? Although they’re available year-round, radishes reach their peak during spring – meaning lower prices and extra tastiness. Slice and mix in a green salad or dip in coarse sea salt for a crunchy snack.

Find the best seasonal produce in New York at Union Square.  Photo by Brittany via Yelp.

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Posted on May 9, 2018