Eating seasonally means buying produce that can be grown locally, in their natural weather and climate conditions. Less energy and less transit time means a cheaper price tag. Eating seasonally also means that every few month or two, we’re trying something new, and that’s a good thing for our taste buds and our health.

Looking for seasonal food ideas or some new spring recipes? Now’s the time for fresh vegetable soups; crunchy green salads using fennel, peas, parsley, asparagus and new potatoes. Rhubarb and berries are in season for some delicious desserts.

Here is a handy interactive chart to see what produce is in season in your area.

Breakfast or Lunch Crostata

This is a great brunch recipe, also.

Ingredients

• 1 (9″) refrigerated pie crust, at room temperature
• I tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup red onions, diced
• 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, diced
• 5 large eggs
• 1/4 cup half & half
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 2/3 cup fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Roma (plum) tomato, diced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a large cookie sheet with olive oil cooking spray.

Heat the olive oil in 7-8 inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and peppers; saute for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

In a medium size bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, cream cheese and chives.

Reserve 1 tablespoon of the chopped spinach for the topping and stir the remaining spinach, salt and pepper into the eggs.

Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and allow to cook, over medium heat, just until the eggs are set. Remove the skillet from heat and allow to cool 10 minutes.

Unroll the pie crust and place it in the center of the prepared baking sheet. Using a spatula, slide the omelet onto the center of the crust. Sprinkle the cheeses over the filling.

Fold the edge of the crust over the filling forming pleats as you go around the filling, press down slightly.

Bake about 25-30 minutes or until the crust is light golden brown. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with reserved spinach and the diced tomatoes.

Blueberry Cinnamon Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana, about 2 medium
• 2/3 cups packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups fresh blueberries

Topping

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray and dust lightly with flour.

Whisk buttermilk, eggs, mashed bananas, sugar and oil in a large bowl until well blended.

Combine flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in a separate bowl.

Stir flour mixture into the buttermilk mixture, mixing just until combined. Gently fold in the blueberries.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Combine the topping ingredients in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.

Bake about 1 hour, or until browned and crackly on the top and a pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool in the pan 15 minutes. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Braised Spring Vegetables

These vegetables look beautiful served on this Tuscan platter given to me by my friend, Nancy. This is a terrific way to cook vegetables. They taste fantastic after simmering in olive oil.

Serves 4-6.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 pound (4-5 oz) carrots, each cut into 1 inch pieces on the diagonal
• 1/4 pound (4-5 oz) medium potatoes, cut into thick slices
• 1 fennel bulb, trimmed & cut into 1 inch pieces on the diagonal
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 scallions, trimmed, each cut into 1 inch pieces on the diagonal
• 1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and each cut into 1 inch pieces on the diagonal
• 1 lemon, cut into eight wedges, de-seeded
• 1 large fresh thyme sprig

Directions

Pour the olive oil into a large, deep skillet (with a cover) and heat over medium-low heat. Layer the vegetables in the order of how long they cook.

On the bottom place the potatoes in one layer, followed by the fennel and then the carrots.

Add salt to the pan; reduce the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes. Stir the vegetables after 10 minutes.

Add the asparagus, scallions, black pepper, half of the lemon wedges and the thyme to the pan. Cook just until the vegetables are tender, about 5 – 10 minutes more; avoid overcooking.

Remove the pan from the heat and remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon to a serving bowl. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges.

Note: save the oil and any leftover vegetables to add to pasta for another meal. See recipe below.

Spring Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is delicious for lunch.

Ingredients

• 12 oz orecchiette or small shell pasta
• Leftover spring braised vegetables, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, sliced thin
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
• Leftover olive oil from the spring braised vegetables
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, chopped

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain well.

Whisk together the leftover oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add pasta, leftover vegetables, celery, tomatoes and basil and toss to combine.

Serve at room temperature or chilled; refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Italian Style Asparagus Soup

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ lbs asparagus
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups vegetable stock or low sodium chicken broth
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• Truffle oil or olive oil

Directions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium. Add the onions and garlic and cook until softened, about 10 minutes.

Cut the tips off the asparagus spears and set them aside. Cut the stalks into 1/2-inch pieces and add them to the pot, along with the stock, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Bring to a boil, then cover and turn the heat down to low.

Simmer for about 45-60 minutes until the vegetables are very tender. Turn off the heat.

Purée the soup with an immersion blender until completely smooth and return the soup to a simmer. Add the reserved asparagus tips and cook for a few minutes until tender-crisp.

Stir in the lemon juice, basil and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Ladle the soup into serving bowls and drizzle with truffle oil before serving.

Posted by Jovina Coughlin in asparagus, berries, Breakfast, carrots, Cheese, Cinnamon, Coffee Cake, eggs, fennel, Healthy Italian Cooking, leeks, Pasta, potatoes, Salad, Soup, spinach, tomatoes, Vegetarian Tags: spring recipes for May