The Practical Produce Guide: March, 2022 - Ask The Food Geek

Vegetables in March

In my experience, March is the hardest month for cooking in season. That's because we still mostly have winter squash and other hardy root vegetables available.

While winter vegetables are anticipated and celebrated in fall and winter with soups and stews, they can become boring if not reinvented in new ways. To overcome this, I've gathered recipes for March that use winter seasonal produce in spring-inspired recipes.

New this month: asparagus & artichokes

If weather is cooperative this year, asparagus and artichokes will start to show up by mid-March.

Asparagus

The earliest asparagus usually comes from California, whereas locally grown sources in other states starts showing up in April and May. Fresh asparagus is incredibly tasty and higher in sugars.

I reviewed different ways to cook asparagus, from steaming to grilling. The guide also shares over 50 recipes to get you started.

Interested in growing your own asparagus? Check out my garden guide that explains exactly how asparagus grows and the best varieties for your region.

Artichokes

When artichokes show up in your grocery stores, they are likely shipped in from California. They ship well enough, so you should be able to find decent quality.

Look for artichokes with tightly closed tips. Open leaves are a sign it's overripe. For more information on artichokes, visit my seasonal artichoke guide and tips on how to cook artichokes.

And there are no shortage of recipes for asparagus or artichokes either:

• How to cook asparagus: 10 methods & 50 recipes
• Picnic sandwich with asparagus and goat cheese
• How to prep artichokes & 8 cooking methods
• March recipes: a spring take on winter recipes

Fruits in March

Winter citrus and kiwi are still seasonal this month. Even if you feel tired of eating citrus throughout all of winter, this is arguably the best month for flavor.

Mandarins should be even sweeter and more flavorful now that we are at the end of their harvest season. That's because they stop developing flavor once harvested, so the ones left longer on the tree to extend the season have more flavor. Grapefruit are often sweeter this time of year for the same reason.

While strawberries and pineberries show up in grocery stores, resist buying them right now unless you're getting them locally in Florida or southern California. I know they look great after a long winter but they will be pretty flavorless and disappointing.

Recipes for March

I've already mentioned a few recipes sources for this month. Start with March recipes: A spring take on winter recipes.

While I try to use fruits and vegetables that are in season this month as much as possible, it is admittedly difficult. I find myself branching out to use dried fruits (like cherries), along with frozen or canned products.

I just advise you to not buy berries yet, as they won't have much flavor. Some fruit travels decently enough (like grapes) from warmer climates and countries. But berries are probably the worst option if imported, as far as flavor is concerned.

Produce in season this month

Get guides & recipes for each fruit & vegetable in season in March. Click on any picture below to go to the guide.

Artichokes Asparagus Blood oranges Brussels sprouts Butternut squash Celery Celery root (celeriac) Grapefruit Kiwi Kumquats Mandarin oranges Mushrooms Parsnips Pumpkins, butternut & other winter squash

Monthly seasonal guides

The seasonal guides cover produce for every month. Coming up in April, you'll see the first strawberries, cherries, and rhubarb. If you live in cooler climates, you'll see them in stores, but might have to wait another month until they show up at farmers markets.