Seasonal Produce Guide
At Del Bene, we pride ourselves on our expertise in sourcing the finest seasonal produce throughout the year. Understanding the cycles of nature allows us to provide you with the freshest, most flavorful fruits and vegetables available. Below, we delve into what’s in season during fall, summer, winter, and spring, offering you a detailed guide to help you plan your menus and make informed choices year-round.
Spring Market
Spring is the season of renewal, as the earth wakes from its winter slumber and tender new growth emerges. Spring produce is known for its fresh, delicate flavors, perfect for lighter meals as the days grow longer.
Asparagus
One of the first signs of spring, asparagus is prized for its tender shoots and distinctive flavor. It is best enjoyed simply roasted or steamed to highlight its natural sweetness.
Peas
Snap peas, snow peas, and English peas are crisp and sweet in the spring. These versatile vegetables are perfect for salads, stir-fries, and as a fresh side dish.
Artichokes
Spring is the peak season for artichokes, which are delicious when steamed, grilled, or used in dips. Their unique flavor and texture make them a sought-after delicacy.
Radishes
Known for their peppery bite, radishes are a refreshing addition to salads and slaws. Spring radishes are particularly crisp and flavorful.
Leafy Greens
Spring brings a variety of tender greens like arugula, spinach, and lettuce. These greens are perfect for fresh salads, offering a crisp texture and mild flavor.
Strawberries
Early spring marks the beginning of strawberry season, with berries that are sweet, juicy, and full of flavor. These are perfect for fresh eating, desserts, and preserving.
Spring also offers rhubarb, which is often paired with strawberries in desserts, and morel mushrooms, a prized delicacy for chefs and food enthusiasts alike.
Summer Market
Summer is the season of abundance, offering a plethora of fruits and vegetables that thrive in the warmth and long days of the season. This is when you’ll find the brightest colors and sweetest flavors in the produce aisle.
Berries
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are at their peak during the summer months. These berries are not only sweet and flavorful but also packed with antioxidants, making them a healthy and delicious choice.
Stone Fruits
Peaches, nectarines, plums, and cherries are juicy and perfect for summer desserts, salads, and grilling. Their high sugar content makes them ideal for preserving or making jams.
Tomatoes
True to summer’s essence, tomatoes reach their peak, offering unparalleled flavor. Heirloom varieties, in particular, are celebrated for their unique flavors and colors, ideal for fresh salads and sauces.
Sweet Corn
Summer brings the best sweet corn, known for its crisp texture and sugary kernels. Freshly harvested corn is perfect for grilling, boiling, or adding to salads and salsas.
Zucchini and Peppers
These versatile vegetables flourish in the heat, offering a mild flavor that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Zucchini, in particular, is a summer staple, excellent for grilling, roasting, or spiralizing into “zoodles.”
Herbs
Fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint grow abundantly in the summer, adding vibrant, aromatic flavors to any dish.
Summer is also the best time to enjoy cucumbers, eggplants, and melons, which are refreshing and hydrating, making them perfect for beating the summer heat.
Fall Market
Autumn is a time of transition, where the harvest yields some of the most nutrient-dense and flavorful produce of the year. As summer’s heat wanes, fall brings forth an abundance of root vegetables and hearty greens that are at their peak.
Root Vegetables
Carrots, beets, parsnips, and turnips thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall. These vegetables are known for their earthy flavors and are perfect for roasting, stews, and soups.
Squashes
Pumpkins, butternut squash, and acorn squash are iconic fall produce. Their rich, sweet flavors are perfect for both savory dishes and desserts. Squashes are also excellent sources of vitamins A and C.
Apples and Pears
This is the prime season for apples and pears, with a wide variety of heirloom and specialty types becoming available. These fruits are perfect for everything from fresh eating to baking and preserving.
Leafy Greens
Kale, Swiss chard, and collard greens are at their best in the fall, offering robust flavors and high nutrient content. These greens are frost-tolerant, making them some of the last fresh vegetables available before winter sets in.
Fall is also the season for brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage, which benefit from the cooler temperatures, leading to enhanced sweetness and reduced bitterness.
Winter Market
Winter may be synonymous with cold, but it is also a season of comfort foods that feature the hearty, rich flavors of winter produce. Despite the cooler weather, winter offers an impressive array of fruits and vegetables that are both nourishing and delicious.
Root Vegetables
Carrots, parsnips, and rutabagas continue to be prominent in winter, often becoming sweeter after exposure to frost. These vegetables are perfect for hearty stews, roasts, and mashes.
Citrus Fruits
Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are at their best during the winter months. These fruits provide a burst of bright, tangy flavors and are excellent sources of vitamin C, helping to boost the immune system during cold weather.
Winter Squash
Varieties like acorn squash, kabocha, and spaghetti squash are winter staples. These squashes are rich in vitamins and fiber, offering versatility in both sweet and savory dishes.
Basccicas
Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts thrive in the colder months, with frost actually enhancing their sweetness. These vegetables are ideal for roasting, sautéing, and adding to winter salads.
Winter also brings pomegranates and kiwi, which add a burst of color and flavor to winter salads and desserts.
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