Summer is just around the corner and seasonal produce is becoming plentiful! You’re going to love this collection of ideas and recipes to incorporate those fresh early summer fruits and vegetables into your menu.
WHAT’S IN SEASON IN MAY?
- Fruits: All kinds of berries are coming into season this month, including blackberries and raspberries (my personal favorite). Rhubarb and strawberries are still in season this month, so take advantage of their bright fresh flavors while you still can.
- Vegetables: May is a great time to incorporate spinach, green beans and peas into your menu. Or maybe you’ll decide to try something new, like ramps, sorrel or fava beans.
This month, it’s all about warmer weather, celebrating the beginning of summer, and breaking out the grill.
It’s the perfect time to freshen up your menu with late spring and early summer produce, like berries, and leafy greens. There are plenty of in season vegetables to add to Memorial Day pasta salads and side dishes. And it’s still cool enough to bake up some berry filled cakes, pies and muffins.
Wondering what to do with ramps? Or what they even are? Sometimes called “wild leeks,” ramps are great for making pesto or compound butter. Sorrel is a leafy green with a sour, lemon-like flavor and is a great addition to curries and soups.
Local farmer’s markets start opening this month, and you’ll find plenty of delicious recipes in this collection for using all that fresh, in-season produce. These are some of the most popular fruits and vegetables that are in season during the month of May.
WHY COOK WITH WHAT’S IN SEASON?
- Seasonal food is fresher and more nutritious than out-of-season food. Fruits and vegetables start losing nutrients the moment they’re picked, so the quicker food reaches the table, the more nutritious it will be.
- You’ll save money using in-season foods. Especially if you grow your own fruits and vegetables. And locally grown produce doesn’t have to travel far to reach you–those savings are passed on to you!
- You’re likely to try new ingredients, and a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, if you are focused on cooking and baking with what’s in season.
- You’ll rely less on global, industrial agriculture, which is better for the environment.
- Fresh, locally grown (if possible) in-season produce just tastes better! If you’re lucky enough to have year round farmer’s markets where you live, that’s the best place to find delicious seasonal produce. Plus it helps support the local economy and farmers.
In Season Recipes: May
Snap Pea Poppy Seed Salad
Fresh sugar snap peas are tossed with a sweet and tangy poppy seed dressing for the perfect Spring salad!
Grilled Garlic Herb Potatoes
Potatoes are coated in olive oil, garlic and Italian seasoning, then wrapped in foil and cooked on the grill until tender. A great side for almost any meal!
Chocolate Covered Raspberries
Fresh raspberries are covered in dark chocolate for a decadent yet healthy treat.
Skillet Spinach Artichoke Dip
This creamy, cheesy spinach artichoke dip is so rich and decadent. It's always the first thing to disappear, no matter the occasion.
Simple Ramp Pasta
A simple ramp pasta to make the most out of the ultra seasonal ingredient.
Slow Cooker Thai Green Curry
Tender chunks of beef are slow cooked with green curry paste and coconut milk, with plenty of healthy vegetables like spinach and green beans.
Pasta with Peas and Prosciutto
This easy but delicious pasta dish, with just a few simple ingredients, is always a hit, even with picky eaters. It's sure to become a family favorite!
Sarah's Strawberry Pecan Goat Cheese Salad
This hearty salad feature fresh berries, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, candied pecans and crumbled goat cheese, all tossed in a sweet and tangy raspberry vinaigrette.
Strawberry Pancake Syrup
Fresh, ripe strawberries are blended with sugar and a hint of lemon to create this sweet, smooth strawberry syrup. Perfect for pancakes, waffles, French toast and ice cream.
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Spinach and Feta
Ground turkey meatballs are loaded with feta cheese, spinach and Greek herbs and spices. Delicious served with orzo or flatbread.
Sautéed Fava Beans
Fresh fava beans can be treated so simply- here we saute them with shallot, toss with fresh mint leaves, lemon zest and shaved cheese.
Mini No-Bake Blackberry Lemon Cheesecakes
Individual portions of light and fluffy no-bake cheesecake, topped off with a fresh blackberry lemon sauce.
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ground chicken or turkey is cooked with onions, garlic, water chestnuts and hoison sauce, then wrapped in lettuce leaves for a delicious, low carb meal the whole family will love.
Spring Minestrone with Tortellini
A pesto infused broth is loaded with spring vegetables, beans and tortellini in this light but filling soup.
Italian Bean Salad
A healthy, protein packed salad featuring two kinds of beans, pepperoni, cheese, artichoke hearts, peppers and an Italian vinaigrette.
Trinidad Sorrel Drink (Hibiscus Drink)
Sorrel or Hibiscus as it is know in many places is a plant with with a rose like bud that can be boiled to make juice and the pulp used to make jam
Skillet Raspberry Brownies
Rich chocolate brownies are baked with chocolate filled raspberry squares and fresh raspberries in this decadent dessert recipe.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
This hearty pasta dish is loaded with tender chicken, garlic, sun dried tomatoes and fresh spinach in a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. An easy, restaurant quality meal for any day of the week.
Blackberry Jam
This homemade Blackberry Jam recipe only needs 4 ingredients and will help you preserve the flavors of Summer to enjoy all year!
Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein
Featuring seasoned ramen noodles with cabbage and celery, this easy copycat recipe will make you feel like you're eating at your favorite fast food Chinese restaurant.
Delicious, Buttery Garlic Confit
This delicious garlic confit recipe is versatile, and easy-to-make, plus you can eat it on just about anything.
Spicy Roasted Asian Green Beans
Fresh green beans are roasted in a sweet and spicy soy sauce mixture, then finished off with a garnish of sesame seeds in this unique side dish everyone will love!
Old Fashioned Blackberry Crisp
Fresh blackberries with sugar and a hint of lemon are baked with a crispy, crunch oat topping in this classic dessert that everyone loves. Don't forget the vanilla ice cream!
Baked Chicken Spinach Spaghetti
This rich and creamy baked pasta dish features chicken, spinach and spaghetti in a cheesy Alfredo style sauce. It's comfort food the whole family will love.
Mini Berry Tarts
Mini sugar cookie cups filled with vanilla pastry cream and topped with fresh berries.
Be sure to save this collection of May seasonal recipes to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
