As I am writing this I can look up and see the sun shining brightly outside my window. This is a nice change because it also alternately snows and rains quite a bit randomly.
Whether the weather lends me to believe it or not, it is April, the clocks have changed, the days are getting longer, we no longer get up and go to bed in the dark, and have more time to enjoy whatever bounty is in season.
And, yes, there are plenty of amazing things in season to enjoy. It is time to move on from the hearty goodness of wintry food and leap into spring, with a massive variety of spring green leafery… Lettuces, watercress, rocket and spinach are all shooting out of the ground all over the place and are the basis of a thousand great salads.
Cauliflower is at its best as well, crispy and full of fresh flavour. Just be careful not to overcook it!
Here is our list of the best things in season (in the Northern hemisphere) right now:
Artichokes
Asparagus
Carrots
Cauliflower
Chicory
Dandelion greens
Fava beans
Horseradish
Leeks (end of season)
Lettuce
Morels
Peas
Purple sprouting broccoli
Radishes
Rhubarb
Rocket
Sorrel
Spinach
Spring onion
Turnips
Watercress
Wild garlic
Open the windows and spring in, or even go outside and embrace it. Whip up some wonderful salads and maybe some barbecued artichokes and asparagus, and enjoy the all too brief months where new things shoot constantly into season.
If you are a seafood or meat eater then try sardines, crab and rabbit this month.