Discovering the Flavors of Springtime
As the world turned topsy-turvy last year, many of us found solace in familiar comforts – and for me, that meant reconnecting with the land. Walking through my neighborhood, I couldn’t help but notice the sudden burst of activity in once-dormant gardens. Neighbors who had never before so much as potted a plant were now digging furiously, building raised beds, and filling them with an array of seedlings.
This collective impulse to grow our own food struck a deep chord within me. You see, I come from Finnish stock, and to my ancestors, the humble potato was the very bedrock of food security. So when I laid eyes on the terraced potato bed my husband and I had hastily constructed from scrap materials, I felt a surge of primal comfort. Even if nothing else grew, we’d have those trusty tubers to fall back on.
“If nothing else we’d have a few weeks’ worth of potatoes to eat in the summer. That ridiculously warm, comforting feeling I felt in my chest when admiring this new potato bed? That was genetic memory in action.”
Of course, as the summer progressed, it became clear that grocery store shelves weren’t going to be bare anytime soon. But the lessons of that Spring – the value of self-reliance, the importance of building resilient local food systems – have stuck with me. And as I’ve continued on my journey of sourcing my family’s food within a 50-mile radius, I’ve discovered a whole world of culinary delights just waiting to be explored.
Rediscovering the Lost Arts of Cooking
One of the silver linings of the past year has been a resurgence of interest in the “lost arts” of home cooking. Across the country, people found themselves stuck at home, with little to do but perfect their sourdough starters and master the art of ravioli making. But as the initial novelty wore off, many struggled to maintain that momentum, falling back into the familiar patterns of convenience-driven, processed foods.
As the author of that Edible Asheville article pointed out, “Maintaining and cultivating our kitchen savvy takes continuous practice.” And that’s exactly what I’ve been working on – not just growing more of my own food, but also rediscovering the joy of transforming those fresh, seasonal ingredients into simple, delicious meals.
Because here’s the thing: when you source your produce from local farms or your own backyard garden, the flavors are so vibrant, so complex, that they really don’t need much in the way of complicated preparation. A sprinkle of salt, a drizzle of good olive oil – that’s often all it takes to make those springtime gems shine.
Springtime Culinary Adventures
So what sorts of unique springtime ingredients have I been discovering on my culinary adventures? Let me take you on a tour:
Garlic Scapes
These curly, green beauties are the flower stalks that emerge from hardneck garlic plants. Though often overlooked, garlic scapes are packed with the same pungent, garlicky flavor as the bulbs – but with a slightly sweeter, more delicate profile. I love sautéing them with a bit of butter and tossing them with pasta, or blending them into a vibrant, springtime pesto.
Zucchini Blossoms
Have you ever laid eyes on these ephemeral, sun-kissed flowers? They emerge from zucchini plants for a brief window each spring, opening up into delicate, edible blooms. I like to stuff them with a creamy ricotta filling, then lightly batter and fry them for a decadent appetizer or side dish.
Fiddlehead Ferns
These coiled, emerald-green fronds are the young, unfurled shoots of certain fern varieties. With a flavor reminiscent of asparagus and a delightfully crunchy texture, fiddleheads are a true springtime delicacy. I love to sauté them in garlic butter and serve them alongside grilled fish or roasted chicken.
Ramps
Also known as wild leeks, ramps have a bold, garlicky flavor that really packs a punch. Beloved by Appalachian foragers, these elusive alliums have a fleeting spring season, so I always jump at the chance to get my hands on them. I’ll chop them up and fold them into scrambled eggs, or use them to infuse an earthy, umami-rich flavor into soups and stews.
Stinging Nettles
Don’t let the name fool you – these prickly greens transform into a silky, nutrient-dense puree when cooked. With a flavor reminiscent of spinach, nettles are a springtime superfood packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. I’ll often blitz them into a vibrant pesto or fold them into a creamy quiche.
As you can probably tell, I’ve become quite the springtime ingredient enthusiast! And the best part is, my local CSA makes it easy to get my hands on all these unique delicacies. Each week, their box of seasonal produce introduces me to new and exciting flavor combinations to explore in the kitchen.
Cultivating Culinary Curiosity
Of course, sourcing all these unusual ingredients locally doesn’t come without its challenges. As I mentioned, I’ve been working to minimize gluten in my diet for health reasons, which means I’ve had to get creative when it comes to finding locally-grown, gluten-free grains and flours.
Luckily, as the Edible Asheville article highlighted, there are some exciting possibilities emerging in my region. Places like Barkleys Mill in Weaverville are producing delicious corn flour and grits, while Lees One Fortune Farm in Marion grows an array of rice varieties. I’ve even had success growing buckwheat and quinoa in my own backyard garden, despite the challenges of our climate.
And that’s really the heart of what this local food journey is all about – not just sourcing the ingredients, but cultivating the conditions in which entirely new food systems can thrive. When we start looking beyond the narrow confines of the industrial food model, the possibilities become endless. Perhaps someone in my area is already dreaming up a lambsquarters farm and processing facility, or envisioning a cooperative of small-scale grain growers. The more we invest in these homegrown food enterprises, the richer and more resilient our regional foodshed will become.
So as I continue to explore the bounty of springtime, I’m not just broadening my own culinary horizons – I’m also playing a small part in reshaping the landscape of what’s possible when it comes to local, sustainable food production. It’s an adventure that’s equal parts delicious and empowering, and I’m grateful to have my CSA as a trusted guide along the way.
Who knows what other unique, seasonal delights the coming months will bring? One thing’s for certain: with an open mind and a curious palate, the culinary possibilities are truly endless.
