What’s in season: The spring produce Guide

We are living in a time wherein we are exposed to a globally rich market that has made everything available easily. But does that mean we should consume exported fruits and veggies?
The answer is ‘Not required’! Our ancient food habit pattern advises us to eat seasonal or local food only.

As seasons come and go, our diet habits change too. With the upcoming spring, it’s time to enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables and shed off the weight gained during the winter by choosing lighter nutritious recipes.

Fruits, vegetables taste more fresh & juicy when they are freshly picked and are seasonal. They are more loaded with nutrients as compared to packed. Here are some fruits and vegetables that are available in spring.

1. Beet – They are mostly associated with winter but they are available in springs too. Fresh beets can be eaten as salads. Go for traditional practice by turning them into a sweet pickle with lots of spices.
Serve it as a side dish on a pasta plate after sauteing.

2. Strawberries – They are juicy red berries that shine during spring. You can enjoy the flavor of berries in the form of jams, jellies, salads & shakes.
Hold on to that sweet flavor of strawberries by making a fruit platter.

3. Radish – Red radish is one of the delicious things which you will see consistently. Sliced raw for salads or chopped for pickles, these crunchy red radishes can be used for garnishing too.

4. Peas – You can find frozen peas in supermarkets. But the freshly harvested green peas appear in June. Peas are generally cooked with spring vegetables like carrot, leeks or fiddleheads. They can also be used in salads.

Below are some of the spring produce to lighten up your diet with healthy and delicious meals.

• Favor vegetables and small legumes, like red lentils and mung beans.
• Go easy on your stomach by eliminating wheat, meat and milk products.
• Opt for lighter grains like millet, quinoa, and barley.
• Spice up your dishes with black pepper, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin and mustard seeds
• Eat locally accessible fruits and veggies like asparagus, peas, carrots, radishes, garlic and spinach
• Grapefruit, lemons, apricots and cherries taste yum when added as a topping on smoothie.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables taste more nutritious. Crops are fully ripened and are locally available, making them a lot more healthy to the palate. Expand your taste and try new vegetables for the new season!