In addition to more daylight and vibrant colors, spring offers a bounty of fresh, tasty ingredients—from tender vegetables to fragrant herbs—that are just waiting to be explored.

By utilizing the foods that are at their peak this time of year, you can create light, healthy dishes that celebrate the best the season has to offer.

Shop at the farmers market

A farmers market is a treasure trove of locally grown produce, making it the ideal stop for your spring ingredients. You can not only learn what’s in season but also possibly discover a wider, more unique variety of fruits and vegetables than you would at a grocery store. While perusing, don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with vendors to learn more about their offerings and businesses and get inspiration for how to use their foods in your cooking. These experts have a wealth of knowledge and ideas and are likely happy to share that information with you. 

Get versatile with seasonal produce

When shopping, you’ll see plenty of produce like asparagus, apples, radishes, strawberries, collard greens, and rhubarb. Because there’s so much to choose from, it’s a good idea to get creative and see how you can utilize these items in your weekly meals. For instance, if you find a bundle of asparagus, you can grill or roast it for a quick yet delicious side or add it to your favorite salad or pasta dish for an additional crunch and buttery flavor. Apples, strawberries, and rhubarb are perfect for desserts like pies, tarts, and crumbles, so consider what sweet treats you can make that star these ingredients. 

And don’t limit your use of seasonal produce to lunch and dinner. Spring fruits and vegetables can instantly make your breakfast more exciting and nutritious. Simply add berries to your yogurt or pancakes, blend greens into smoothies, or top your toast with radishes for a vibrant and healthy start to your day. There are countless ways to enhance your favorite meals when you have the freshest options available, so get creative and see what you can come up with. 

Embrace fresh herbs

Besides produce, this time of year brings an abundance of herbs like mint, basil, and parsley, which provide easy ways to brighten and enhance the flavor of your dishes. For example, mint is the perfect addition to salads, drinks, and desserts alike because of its sharp, refreshing tang. You can make homemade pesto using several basil leaves or chop up a few pieces to mix with pasta or add to the top of a grilled pizza. And parsley’s peppery taste makes it a great ingredient to toss into any soup or stew you may crave on a cooler spring night.

Worried about excess herbs going to waste? If you take the time to store them properly, you can keep them in your fridge for up to three weeks. Take tender herbs like parsley, cilantro, and mint, for instance. After thoroughly washing them, cut off the base of the stems and place them in a sealable jar with about an inch of water. This should keep them green longer and allow you to continue using them for various meals. And if you still have leftover pieces after two or three weeks, you can freeze the stems and leaves for later use in cooked dishes. However, they’ll likely be a little limp and brown after being defrosted, so you won’t want to use them as garnishes.

Try new cooking methods

While embracing the flavors of spring, aim to raise your cooking game by giving new methods a try. Grilling is a go-to option for the warmer months, but it doesn’t just have to be reserved for meats—try grilling your produce as well to give it a wonderful smoky taste. Or take a crack at blanching, a quick-cooking method that involves immersing vegetables in a pot of boiling salt water before moving them to a bowl of ice water. This can be a great choice for items like asparagus and peas since it not only retains the produce’s color but also its crisp texture.

Take advantage of the wide variety of foods that spring brings by letting your culinary creativity blossom. The possibilities are endless, so savor the planning and cooking processes and get ready to make the most of this beautiful time of year.