Spring Eating: Fresh Meals as Weather Warms
Cook light meals as spring arrives. Fresh greens and young vegetables cheaply.
Spring Produce Arrival
When the weather warms up, fresher and lighter produce returns to the stores. Asparagus, radishes, green onions, peas, spinach and early greens are among the first, followed by strawberries. Prices drop as local supply grows, so lighter meals built around spring produce become an affordable change from heavy winter cooking.
Light Spring Meals
Lighter meals don't have to cost more. Grain bowls with roasted vegetables, pasta tossed with spring vegetables and lemon, egg-based dishes like frittatas, and big salads with beans or chicken all use small amounts of protein with plenty of vegetables. They're quick to make and use up whatever is on sale.
Fresh Greens Season
Leafy greens are at their best in spring. Spinach, lettuce, arugula and kale are tender and often discounted. Buy what you'll use in a few days, store greens wrapped in a towel in a container, and cook wilting greens into soups, eggs or pasta rather than throwing them out.
Spring Vegetables
Spring vegetables like asparagus, peas, radishes, leeks and new potatoes are often featured on flyers when they arrive. Asparagus is especially cheap at its peak. Roast it, add it to pasta or eggs, or grill it. New potatoes need only boiling and a little butter and herbs.
Spring Entertaining
Spring gatherings like brunches and outdoor meals can be inexpensive. Egg dishes, a fruit platter from sale fruit, homemade muffins and a big salad feed a crowd for very little. Grilling season starts too, and chicken thighs and sausages are usually cheaper than steaks.
Spring Meal Ideas
A spring week: Monday, asparagus and ham frittata; Tuesday, lemon chicken with new potatoes; Wednesday, pasta with peas and spinach; Thursday, grilled sausages with a big salad; Friday, grain bowls with roasted vegetables and eggs. Dessert is sale strawberries.
Featured Cities
Spring produce arrives at different times in each region. Browse this week's deals in your city to see what's in season near you.
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