The month of April brings forth many opportunities to explore new recipes, foods, ingredients and hobbies! With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, it’s time to learn new skills and approach seasonal ingredients that will help you create a healthy and satisfying meal. Here are just a few ideas to enjoy spring’s fresh foods:

1. Choose seasonal Ingredients: It can’t get any better than biting into a fresh fruit or vegetable! Choosing seasonal foods not only provides a great taste but also great benefits. Foods tend to lose their nutritional value if not eaten soon after harvest or preserved correctly. Moreover, seasonal foods are usually more budget friendly and puts less of a dent in your wallet because it is readily available. Check out this seasonal food guide to find seasonal foods in your area!
2. Shop from Local Stores: Explore farmers markets and produce stands in your local area! Spring is the time to go out and about as you enjoy the sunshine and shop for seasonal food at your local farmer’s market. Eating from local markets is a healthier choice for both you and the environment Shopping for foods within your area guarantees freshness since the food tends to travel for less miles, and it doesn’t have to go through the process of shipping and transporting. Shopping locally also helps the environment because it decreases food miles. Food miles describes the distance food just travel to get to a grocery store. So, decreasing the number of food miles decreases fuel burned during transportation. Local food is also likely to have less preservatives sine they are sold soon after the harvesting period. You are also supporting local businesses and your local community by exploring local food vendors! If you're local, check out the Davis Farmers Market!
3. Get your hands Dirty: What better time than spring to start growing your own mini garden. Perfect weather conditions will make planting your garden a very enjoyable experience. If you don’t have a garden, there are always alternatives. You can buy planters and hang them around your house, the balcony or patio. Experiment with different produce you would like to have in your house. Wouldn’t it feel so nice to have a meal with ingredients that have been grown and cooked in the comfort of your home! If you don’t know where to start, here a some gardening tips.
4. Swap out packaged foods for fresh produce: Spring provides you with a lot of fresh or healthy alternatives to fill your pantry and refrigerator with. Avoid the additives and food flavorings as you enjoy natural and tasty flavors. You could also opt to make healthier snacks from the seasonal and local produce around you.

Seasonal Foods and Recipes:

Spaghetti al Limone With Asparagus

Enjoy a citrusy olive oil sauce that doesn’t ruin the delicate nature of spaghetti but instead enhances it!

Spring Veggie Stew

Although it is getting warmer, it is never too late to have a delicious stew filled with seasonal ingredients such as asparagus, cranberry beans and carrots!

Farro Salad with Radishes, Snap Peas, Olives, and Pecorino

Pair the earthy and sweet flavor of farro with some fresh crunchy seasonal vegetables.

Ricotta-Fava Toasts

The delicate, milky flavor of fresh ricotta will pair greatly with the grassy, lightly sweet taste of fava beans!

Lemon, Poppy and Chèvre Cheesecakes with Rhubarb

Explore new fresh flavors with this unique cheesecake recipes!