Welcoming Spring & its Seasonal Foods
In the spring of 2022, I had the opportunity to do a superb culinary assignment. It involved making a blended spring soup using some of my favorite vegetables grown during this season: asparagus, kale, and watercress. The turnout was fabulous, but the color was not so pretty.
Refreshing Spring Soup Recipe
2 pounds of organic spring vegetables, chopped (two or three choices tops) (This recipe included asparagus, kale, and watercress)
4 ounces organic yellow onions, peeled, large dice
2 organic garlic cloves, peeled, chopped
Organic canola oil, as needed
Kosher salt, as needed
Organic black pepper, as needed
6 cups unsalted organic vegetable stock
2 ounces organic heavy cream (or a vegan version of heavy cream)
**Note: You can use this recipe throughout the seasons and swap out the vegetables according to the designated season.
Kitchen Equipment
Mixing bowls/cups/spoons for mise en place ("everything in its place") ingredients
Measuring cups/spoons
Pot
Baking sheet
Tongs
Chef knife
Cutting board
Colander
Food scale
Ladle
Immersion blender
Serving bowls
Spoons
Cooking Instructions
Sanitize the kitchen (including the sink, faucets, countertops, stovetop/oven, cupboard handles, smart devices, and computer).
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Rinse and chop asparagus, kale, and watercress.
Peel and dice onion.
Peel and chop garlic.
Mise en place ingredients.
Mix the vegetables, onions, and garlic with oil, salt, and pepper.
Place them on a sheet pan.
Roast in the oven until they are slightly golden brown.
Transfer roasted vegetables into a pot.
Add the stock.
Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
Cover the pot and simmer until very tender.
Purée the soup with an immersion blender.
Season to taste.
Add cream for richness.
Seven Additional Favorite Spring Vegetables
Many vegetables grow in spring (March through June). Besides asparagus, kale, and watercress, here are seven other favorites of mine.
Arugula
Bittermelon
Bok choy
Broccoli
Carrots
Green beans
Spinach
Source: https://seasonalfoodguide.org/, a beneficial site to find what fruits and vegetables grow in your state during the four seasons.
Cheers,
Gini x
16 March 2025
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