With its warmer temperatures, regular rainy days and increased sunshine, spring is one of the best times of year for fresh fruits and vegetables. To take full advantage of all your fresh options this spring, and to keep your body feeling great, try to incorporate seasonal produce into your daily diet and cooking.
The following fruits and veggies come into season in spring, particularly in April and May, and can be utilized in dozens of delicious ways beyond your basic salad. Here are some yummy ideas for sustainable, natural ways to eat your favorite fresh foods this spring:
Avocados
Slice it on sandwiches, dice it up and mix it with chickpeas and tomatoes for a light salad, or mash it with lime juice, red onion and jalapeno for a spicy guacamole; there are a million ways to enjoy avocado. It’s
full of healthy fats and adds substance and flavor to any dish.
Asparagus
Asparagus makes an absolutely delicious side dish or healthy snack; simply drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast. Alternatively, you can enjoy asparagus mixed up with pasta or added to salads.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is most commonly known for topping off pancakes and waffles, but you can do so much more with this sweet seasonal treat. It’s great for baking, whether you’re making candies, cookies, cakes or donuts, and it can also be used in marinades, dips and sauces.
Peas
Tiny and bright green, peas are the perfect veggie to represent spring freshness. Eat them warm with some butter and salt, add them to orzo and pasta for a pop of color or try making your own wasabi peas for a completely addicting but healthy spring snack.
Spring Onions
Related to green onions, spring onions can be used in a wide variety of ways, from frittatas, tarts and couscous to crepes and even homemade onion rings. They add slightly more flavor to dishes than your
average scallions; try experimenting with them grilled as a side dish or chopped up in a casserole.
Strawberries
Strawberries are delicious eaten on their own; their natural sweetness makes them crave-worthy spring snacks. They also provide a nice contrast to leafy greens when you toss them in a salad, and are great mixed into yogurt, baked into muffins or sliced on top of pound cake for a light dessert.
Maple Yogurt Dip
This recipe for maple yogurt dip is the perfect way to indulge in maple syrup at any time of day. Serve it with fresh fruit, pita chips or baked sweet potato fries for an easy snack or appetizer.
• 1 qt plain yogurt
• 2 tsp maple flavor/extract
• T Tbsp honey or maple syrup
Mix well and serve with fruit or sweet potato fries.
Optional: Drain the yogurt in a cheese cloth for a thicker, richer dip.
Author Bio: This is a guest post by Meredith K. on behalf of Alexia Foods. For sweet potato fries and other
frozen appetizers to snack on this spring, visit www.alexiafoods.com.
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