First Asparagus
I guess spring is here for real. Behold: asparagus!
And it didn’t come alone.
Every week I’m seeing more spring produce popping up as if it were, um, springtime.
Cardoons
Fiddleheads
Fiddleheads are baby fern shoots that show up at Far West Fungi for a few weeks or so every spring. Cardoons–a unique and unwieldy vegetable–are also a rare seasonal find. Neither of these make my top 5 vegetables list, but they are fun to play around with if you are feeling adventurous.
I admit I’m a little more excited about the artichokes that are appearing everywhere. The past few years I’ve fallen in love with the baby ones, but I enjoy artichokes of all sizes. And it looks like I’m not the only one.
Artichoke Slug
Cauliflower is peaking in season right now and trust me, you don’t want to miss it. Try roasting cauliflower florets at about 450 degrees with a little olive oil, sea salt, curry powder and coriander. Cover it with foil for the first 15 minutes, then remove the foil and let it brown until tender. Stir every 10 minutes or so. So easy and ridiculously tasty.
You can also find cauliflower’s prettier and more delicate cousin, romanesco.
Romanesco
Cauliflowers
Eggs are also easier to find at the farmers market this time of year. Right now I am smitten with the ones at Marin Sun Farms. They aren’t cheap, but they will blow you away. And you won’t get Salmonella.
Blood Oranges
Marin Sun Farms Eggs
The citrus season is also booming. Blood oranges and navels are wonderful right now, while the cute little clementines are almost gone. Also be sure to grab some Meyer lemons to squeeze on your asparagus and artichokes.
And root vegetables are still awesome.
Beautiful Turnips
Is it becoming springtime at your market?
Today’s purchases:
- Broccoli shoots (Chue’s Farm)
- Garlic (Chue’s Farm)
- Tuscan kale (Capay Organics)
- Red Russian kale (Dirty Girl Produce)
- Cauliflowers (Dirty Girl Produce)
- Navel oranges (Hamada Farms)
- Walnuts (Glashoff Farms)
- Eggs (Marin Sun Farms)