Spring can feel misleading in Upstate NY, sometimes reminding us of the winter we left behind and pushing us toward summer faster than anticipated. But the rhythm of spring doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to seasonal produce. Spring vegetables ‘opening act’ features fiddleheads, bok choy, lettuce mixes, radishes, and microgreens.

These flavorful vegetables fulfill our cravings for fresh, nourishing food and require little preparation. What’s better is they are harvested just before the farmers’ markets and brought a short distance to be sold to market-goers – offering the opportunity to taste the difference in locally-grown food. 

Leaning Birch Farm is bringing fiddleheads, a seasonal delicacy only available for a few short weeks of the year. Fiddleheads are young ferns, and they have an earthy flavor with a texture reminiscent of asparagus. They may be boiled, sautéed, or roasted with olive oil, then lightly salted with a squeeze of lemon.

Several farms such as Owl Wood, Lovin’ Mama, Pleasant Valley, Gomez Veggie Ville, and Leaning Birch are bringing early harvests of greens; lettuce mixes, and microgreens, spinach, kale, arugula, and bok choy. These tender cuttings are perfect for spring salads. Add fresh herbs, radishes, apples, carrots, sautéed mushrooms, and your favorite vinaigrette for a satisfying meal.

While rhubarb and asparagus are on their way, don’t overlook spring’s fleeting flavors while they are available. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilton Mall parking lot near the TrustCo entrance. The Wednesday farmers’ market is open from 3 to 6 p.m. in front of the City Center parking garage on High Rock Ave. Both markets will return to High Rock Park in June. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.