The arrival of spring signals the beginning of the best produce months of the year. From fresh green peas to crisp leeks, savory artichokes, and snappy asparagus, spring vegetables are the star of some of our favorite seasonal recipes.
Spring vegetables tend to be crisp and mild, making them great for vegetable-cautious children. If you’re looking for some good ways to incorporate more nutrient-rich, fresh ingredients into your kids’ meals, here are some of our favorite dishes that take advantage of the season’s most bountiful harvests.
Artichoke
If you’ve never cooked whole artichokes at home before, this is the season to do so! Kids will love pulling apart the leaves and dipping them into different delicious sauces. This recipe is an old favorite.
Serve this fresh spinach and artichoke dip with some radish slices, carrots, or tortilla chips for a fresh and filling after-school snack.
Asparagus
Pre-bake this asparagus and herb frittata for a quick and easy on-the-go breakfast. Tailor it to your kids’ specific tastes by adding tomatoes, cheeses, and herbs. ‘
Normal fettuccine alfredo gets a spring makeover with the addition of crisp-tender asparagus. The best part? It’s ready to go in just 30 minutes.
Leeks
Who doesn’t love bread?! If you’ve never made homemade focaccia, you’ll be blown away by how easy it can be. The addition of leeks and potatoes makes this a particularly lovely loaf.
If you have an observant picky eater, sneak some seasonal ingredients into cheesy potatoes. With a recipe as delicious as this potato leek gratin, they’ll never see it coming.
Peas
We love these pea, mint and ricotta fritters as a side or on-the-go snack, and they definitely make the most of spring’s best ingredients.
Add a spring spin to a classic favorite with this green pea guacamole. It’s another great one for introducing picky eaters to new flavors and ingredients.
Spinach
This chicken, mushroom and spinach stir fry is quick and easy for weeknights and will easily become a family favorite. Serve with some rice or other small grain for a well-balanced meal.
Even picky eaters will love this cheesy spinach pesto flatbread recipe–it’s basically fancy pizza! Adults can add additional spring ingredients such as asparagus, leeks, or arugula for an extra pop of flavor.