Spring feels closer than ever. Crocuses are sprouting up and bringing with them the joys of spring, and a reminder that spring crops are on their way!
Mushrooms come into season beginning in March. Morels, a wild cone-shaped mushroom with a honeycomb texture, are particularly in season. Morels have an earthy, nutty flavor, are meaty in texture, and are one of the most desired mushrooms in the world! Morels do need to be foraged, but luckily greenmarkets usually have a mushroom stand or foraging tent.
Chives come into season in the early spring. Fresh chives make for an excellent garnish on many dishes and taste delicious when added to soups, dips, mashed or baked potatoes, fish, seafood dishes and omelets. Be careful when adding chives to hot food, heat destroys their delicate flavor, so it’s best to add chives at the last minute.
Nettles are available, though not widely sold. Nettles are a great holistic herb and are best when harvested young. The nettle’s leaves are packed with iron, vitamin C, magnesium, and calcium. Make a tea, blanch them, or cook the nettle leaves like you would spinach and enjoy the nutritious benefits.
Horseradish, kale, and sprouts are all available right now. All three are powerful foods that are worth trying if you’ve never picked them up. Horseradish is packed with nutrients, and is naturally antibacterial, plus, it has been known to aid with digestion. Kale was the trendy superfood a few years ago, and still packs a punch with high concentrations of antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Sprouts are incredibly nutrient dense — a cup of broccoli sprouts has the same health benefits as 50 cups of broccoli!
Vegetables available include root vegetables such as beets, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and turnips. Heartier vegetables such as cabbage, onions, and winter squash are also in season. Apples and pears harvested in the fall will be available from storage.
It’s a good time of year for bread. The low humidity makes baking bread easier than the heat of summer. Bakers Bounty, Bread Alone, and Lost Bread Co. will all be at the Grand Army Plaza greenmarket on Saturdays. Pick up some jams to go with your bread — most farmers will have some available.
Top your fresh bread with some fresh cheese, also available at greenmarkets year-round. Enjoy fresh burrata, aged cheddar, manchego, goat cheese, and more. Options vary by greenmarket.
To find a greenmarket near you in Brooklyn, go to GrowNYC.com or JustFood.com.
