Every time the first day of March comes around, it feels as though there is a whisper of spring in the air. While we’re still a few weeks away from the spring equinox, we’re still greeted early this month with new produce in season to usher us out of the winter months and into warmer days ahead. With winter coming to a close, buds and sprouts beneath the earth’s surface are ready to awaken. Reap the benefits of eating seasonally on your health, the environment, and wallet by picking up what’s in season at your local market.
What’s in season now?
Seasonal produce may vary on where you are located based on growing conditions and the weather; we’re here to offer some inspiration. We’ve rounded up just a sampling of produce available in March, in addition to some inspiration for a special seasonally appropriate meal this month.
Asparagus
It’s no surprise that asparagus is a nutrient-dense vegetable jam-packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. By integrating this delicious and versatile veggie into your diet, you’re opening up the opportunities for improved digestive health, a dose of antioxidants to help our bodies fend off free radicals and oxidative stress, as well as improved bone health.
Are you looking for more inspiration? Try this asparagus avocado salad recipe for a refreshing vegetarian option this month.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower doesn’t always get as much love as broccoli, another member of the Brassicaceae family. However, in recent years, we’ve seen a rise in cauliflower when it comes to low-carb replacements, ranging from rice, pizza crust, mash, tortillas, you name it. But cauliflower by itself is another nutrient-dense vegetable high in fiber to help with digestion, rich in choline, an essential nutrient that we’re often deficient in that allows our liver and brains to function properly, and is an overall good source of antioxidants.
Are you looking for more inspiration? Try these rice-free cauliflower sushi rolls, this spicy roasted cauliflower for a delicious side, or even this cauliflower steak for a plant-based alternative to the beloved meal.
Celery
Sometimes it feels as though celery gets the short end of the stick. Sure, celery juice is a beloved staple in many wellness routines, and celery sticks serve as a great side to chicken wings, but there’s a common misconception that celery has little nutritional value; it’s packed with antioxidants that are vital to our health. It can also help support digestion by providing necessary dietary fiber and reducing inflammation.
Are you looking for more inspiration? You can always chop up some celery stalks to add to your next salad for extra crunch and some additional nutrients. It’s also a perfect veggie to add as a base to your next batch of chicken soup and, of course, a batch of celery juice should you feel up to it.
Radish
Radishes are a staple root vegetable that happens to be in the same family as cauliflower and broccoli. So we often see radishes added for a bit of color into our dishes. Still, beyond their appeal on a plate, they’re another antioxidant-rich veggie that will provide your body with necessary minerals like calcium and potassium. Having these nutrients regularly in your diet can help lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk for heart disease.
Are you looking for more inspiration? By all means, cut these up to dress a salad or even as an accouterment to some tacos or a bowl. We also love having homemade pickled radishes on hand as a perfect garnish or even to use in summer soups.
Bananas
Bananas are undeniably a beloved fruit for all. Of course, we already know that bananas are an amazing source of potassium in our diets, but they also provide fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and an array of antioxidants. In addition, because bananas are high in pectin (a starch found in fruits and vegetables), they have a soothing effect on our gut, which is why we’re often told to eat them if our stomachs are feeling under the weather.
Are you looking for more inspiration? We have these delicious blueberry muffins for breakfast (or dessert, we don’t judge!) and this delicious immune-boosting smoothie recipe.
Pineapple
Pineapple might make you work for the end product, but you can’t deny the delicious treat at the end of the difficult cutting process. Wrapped up in the delicious taste of the sweet and tangy fruit are plenty of vitamins and minerals essential to our health. From just one cup of pineapple, we can get one-third of our daily dose of vitamin C, more than 100% of our daily value of manganese which helps with our immune response and metabolism, 10% of our daily fiber needs, and several B vitamins to help our body process energy from the food we consume.
Are you looking for more inspiration? We think a fruit salad is always a good idea (bonus points if everything is in season), or even introducing pineapple into your next smoothie for a tropical fair. We’re also partial to a pineapple salsa to mix a little sweet with spicy to mix things up.
