What’s in season in May at the Farmers Market
Farmers market season is kicking off! And here is what is in season this May in Ontario.
It’s a bit too early for most locally grown produce but here is what you can expect this month at your local farmers market:
Asparagus
The undisputed champion of the early season!
Did you know: It can take asparagus two to three years from when they are first planted to be ready to eat? It takes them a few years to grow a strong root system. But don’t worry! Once established, a healthy bed of asparagus plants will continue to serve you for 15 to 30 years.
Serving suggestion: A summer staple at my parents house is wrapping asparagus in prosciutto and grilling it on the barbecue until the asparagus has slightly wilted.
Radishes
These add a nice peppery crunch to early spring salads.
Serving Suggestion: My favourite way to cook radishes is by sautéeing them in butter and lemon juice. But did you know you can use the greens to make pesto?
Spinach and other Leafy Greens
Tender arugula, kale, and spring lettuce mixtures
Serving suggestion: Homemade pesto is really easy to make and you can swap the spinach for different leafy greens (I prefer a kale pesto).
Fiddle Heads
Fiddle Heads are tightly coiled, young ostrich fern fronds that are only available for a few weeks each year! Fiddle heads must be boiled for 15 to 20 minutes before further preparing them.
Serving suggestion: My grandmother used to sautée fiddle heads in butter then serve with bacon and caramelized onions
Rhubarb
Tart and tangy, this springtime favourite is perfect for pies, jams, and baking
Serving suggestion: Rhubarb crisp was another staple from my grandmothers’ kitchen all summer long! My grandparents house had a HUGE rhubarb patch that would grow loads of rhubarb all season long. At the end of the season, she would harvest the rest and turn it into rhubarb jam.
One thing about me is that I love to cook! I am really trying to focus on using more in season (and local) produce. I cannot wait to see what I serve in May! Stay tuned for the June farmers market guide!
