Eat the Seasons | April
Wow, can you believe it’s already April? The months are racing by and we are headed straight into a potentially hot summer. The weather has already hit 90 degrees this week, here in the South Bay. I know some of you out there love the heat, my husband included, but I’m not really one of them. I need that perfect 75 degrees to maintain a happy composure. I guess I will need to stock up on a wicked amount of sun dresses if there’s any hope of surviving what’s on the horizon!
Despite my distain for the heat, there are some upsides to warmer weather. The excuse to drink Gin and Tonics like they are going out of style and the Farmers’ Markets exploding with every fruit and vegetable imaginable. I’m not quite sure which one I love more. But for the sake of this post, we are going to focus on the food!
This month we are highlighting a few produce items you wouldn’t really expect are edible. We are referring to two weeds you usually pull from your gardens or yards – Purslane and Nettle.
Purslane surprisingly is considered a superfood high in omega-3 fatty acids and beta carotene which prevents heart attacks and strengthens the immune system. The tiny leaves have a cucumber-crisp, yet tart flavor with a lemon-pepper kick. Who knew the power of a weed! Now, before you run out to your yards and start hunting for this little guy, make sure to do your research. Purslane has a slight twin out there that happens to be poisonous. The Hairy Stemmed Spurge. If you’re not sure, don’t ingest ever!
Nettle, also known as Stinging Nettle, has an overwhelming amount of health benefits. Though careful when handling this weed as it really lives up to it’s name. I’ve made the mistake more times than you want to know of mindlessly grabbing on to a huge cluster of Nettle, causing my hand to burn for hours. Wear gloves! It will save you some unnecessary pain. Can you imagine what I could have done with all the Nettle, and even Purslane, I’ve pulled from my gardens over the years. Well find out below! It will surprise you!
Remember that what’s in season is different for each region and state. Here we mainly focus on California. To find out what’s fresh in your neck of the woods, check out Sustainable Table or Epicurious. Both offer up some very in depth information.
Beets
1. Roasted Beet, Avocado and Quinoa Salad with a Lemon Vinaigrette | by Designs of Any Kind
2. Mini Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cakes with Beet Glaze | by Hummingbird High
3. Baked Rosemary Chips | by Minimalist Baker
4. Stir-Fried Beet Greens, Tofu and Beets | by Martha Rose Shulman via NYT
5. Beet Glazed Salmon + Orange, Fennel and Pecan Salad | by Bird + Cleaver
Grapefruit
6. Grapefruit-and-Sugar-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin | by Saveur
7. Citrus Fennel and Avocado Salad | by Foodie Crush
8. Grapefruit Chile Spritz | by Kitchen Konfidence
9. Pink Grapefruit Cookies | by Brown Eyed Baker
Kohlrabi
10. A Tamarind Beef & Kohlrabi Salad | by Tartelette
11. Kohlrabi Coconut Soup w/ Crispy Roasted Radishes, Nigella Seeds + Cilantro Gremolata | by That’s Food Darling
12. Fresh Mozzarella and Roasted Kohlrabi Crostini with Crispy Lemons and Shallots | by Food52
13. Sunshine Bowl w/ Sunflower Seed Tahini Sauce | by Feasting at Home
14. Kohlrabi Salad with Cilantro and Lime | by Feasting at Home
Nettle
15. Linguini with Nettle Pesto | by Feasting at Home
16. Stinging Nettle Pistachio Pesto | by Sassy Kitchen
17. Wild Nettle Gnocchi with Cashel Blue Sauce | by Food Lover
18. Lentil and Nettle Curry | by The Hedge Combers
19. Pizza with Garlic Cream and Nettles | by Food & Wine
Purslane
20. Purslane and Soba Noodle Salad | by Food for My Family
21. Purslane with Grilled Corn, Red Onions, and a Creamy Avocado Dressing | by Brooklyn Supper
22. Spiced Chickpea and Purslane Salad | by Babushka Table
23. Black Barley, Purslane and Watermelon Salad | by Healthy Green Kitchen
24. Farro Risotto + Purslane Pistachio Pesto | by Local Milk
Rutabaga
25. Crunchy Root Salad with Fresh Herbs, Poppy Seeds, Almonds + Pomegrenate | by From The Land We Live On
26. Rutabaga Soup with Sage and White Cheddar | by Feed Me Dearly
27. Salmon with Rutabaga Noodles and Shallot Herb Sauce | by Heartbeet Kitchen
28. Rutabaga and Apple Soup with Homemade Curry Powder and Rye Croutons | by From the Land We Live On
Tangerine
29. Tangerine Sour Cream Pound Cake | by Hummingbird High
30. Avocado and Tangerine Salad with Jalapeno Vinaigrette | by Bon Appetit
31. Tangerine, Chocolate and Vanilla Salad | by Jamie Oliver
32. Parsley and Tangerine Marinated Grilled Chicken | by Plating Pixels
33. Tangerine Ginger Sake Sangria | by Jerry James Stone
Thanks for including my Lentil & Nettle Curry, I feel honoured to be among such a great collection 🙂
Janie x
You are so very sweet!!! Thank you for creating such a wonderful and unique combination!! You blog is absolutely wonderful!!!