As spring blooms, so does a bounty of fresh produce from gardens and farm shares, along with the potential for creative spring harvest recipes.
Spring is the season where we take our harvest bowls out of the house and into the garden to collect the first crops of the year. These early harvests give just a hint of the abundance to come: a few first radishes, pea shoots, and turnips, along with the annual excitement of homegrown strawberries and asparagus spears.
Whether your harvest comes from the backyard, a farm share, or the local farmer’s market, it can be a little challenging to come up with ways to use the spring harvest that aren’t just another salad. That’s why we’ve collected some of our favorite creative culinary uses for the spring harvest below. Enjoy!
Pesto Beyond Basil
You don’t have to wait until the end of the summer to enjoy fresh garden pesto. Try a flavorful spring pesto recipe instead.
Start with a vibrant nasturtium pesto: blend fresh nasturtium leaves, toasted nuts (like pine nuts or walnuts), Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil until smooth.
Nasturtium leaves add a peppery kick and vibrant green color to dishes, while also providing a dose of antioxidants and potential anti-inflammatory properties.
For garlic scapes pesto, combine chopped garlic scapes, almonds or cashews, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor until creamy. These pestos add a burst of flavor to pasta, sandwiches, and more.
Garlic scape pesto offers a unique twist on traditional pesto. With a milder garlic flavor and a hint of sweetness, it’s a versatile sauce that complements a variety of dishes.
Fiddlehead Ferns: A Spring Harvest Delicacy
Delicate and delicious, fiddlehead ferns require proper handling to enjoy safely. Remember, never consume fiddlehead ferns raw, as they can cause food poisoning if not cooked correctly.
Always follow food safety guidelines for preparing fiddleheads before using them in any dish.
You can only find local fiddleheads for a short time each season, if at all, making them a particularly special spring harvest treat. Enjoy fiddleheads as a flavorful side dish with butter and garlic. They are also fantastic in omelets or added to stir-fries for a seasonal twist.
Radish and Turnip Refrigerator Pickles
For a tangy and crunchy treat, try making refrigerator pickles with radishes and turnips. This spring harvest pickle recipe is so easy because it doesn’t require canning or any special equipment!
Begin by slicing radishes and turnips thinly. Next, pack them into a clean jar along with garlic cloves, peppercorns, and fresh herbs like dill or thyme.
In a saucepan, combine equal parts water and vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar works well) with salt and sugar to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then pour it over the vegetables in the jar.
Seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before enjoying your homemade pickles.
Strawberry-Rhubarb (with a Twist)
Move beyond traditional pies with strawberry and rhubarb!
Combine chopped strawberries and rhubarb in a saucepan with sugar and a splash of water. Simmer until the fruits are soft and the mixture thickens slightly. Use this compote as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, or pancakes. For a savory twist, mix the compote with balsamic vinegar and olive oil to create a flavorful dressing for salads or grilled vegetables.
Asparagus, the Spring Harvest Superstar
Celebrate the tender crunch of fresh asparagus with simple preparations. Truly, this perennial vegetable doesn’t need a lot of effort to impress your palate.
Roast asparagus spears with olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest until they’re tender yet slightly crisp. Top them with shaved Parmesan cheese for added richness.
Alternatively, wrap the spears in prosciutto before roasting for a savory appetizer that’s sure to impress.
The Perfect Bowl for Any Spring Harvest Recipe
Harvesting from your own backyard? Gather your bounty in one of our sustainably handcrafted harvest bowls. The handles make gathering fresh produce a breeze.
They’re also perfect for preparing and serving your favorite recipes too!
Our harvest bowls are available in spalted maple, cherry, white pearl, and ebonized black. Each bowl is handcrafted in our Western MA workshop from locally and sustainably sourced wood.
In Conclusion:
With these creative recipes, you can transform your spring harvest into culinary masterpieces. From experimenting with unique pesto varieties and safely preparing fiddlehead ferns to crafting flavorful refrigerator pickles with radishes and turnips, there’s no limit to the delicious dishes you can create. Embrace the season’s bounty and let your culinary creativity flourish!
