Springtime Fresh

Sauteed Asparagus & Carrots

As the snow melts in the great Northwest and the rest of the country, the promise of spring becomes a reality and with it a new season of fresh spring and early summer vegetables and fruits.

Although cold storage methods have made many seasonal fruits and vegetables available virtually year round, we prefer cooking with produce that is seasonally natural.

One of the first true signs of spring is the arrival of fresh asparagus. We anxiously await asparagus season every year and include it in everything from omelets, quiches, salads, stir-frys to delicious side dishes as the main ingredient or married with other vegetables.

Asparagus with Lemon and Shallots

Try this month's Sauteed Asparagus & Carrots, or Asparagus with Lemon and Shallots for a fresh bite of spring. Fresh asparagus is fabulous in salads, try our Spring Vegetable Salad for a crisp salad that will go perfectly with just about anything. To add fresh asparagus to a green salad, simply blanch tender spears for one minute prior to assembling the ingredents. Make sure you don't over-cook them. The spears should be crisp-tender.

Spring Vegetable Salad

Even though lemons are also available year-round, somehow the sour-sweetness of fresh lemon adds a kiss of spring, as in this month's Lemon Squares, little squares bursting with fresh lemon flavor on a shortcake crust; a perfect light dessert or snack.

We hope you will add the season's fresh bounty to your everyday cooking. Spring is an exciting time for us as it is the beginning of a new year of fresh produce. Happy Eating and Happy Springtime!

– Glutenfreeda