You can’t help but adore May.
As we enter the month of May, it signals the beginning of the summer growing season. It’s an exciting time as we eagerly anticipate the return of fresh and vibrant produce to elevate our meals once again.
It’s always a good idea to opt for seasonal produce, not only to support local farmers but also to reduce transportation costs and enjoy the best taste. While you can find many fruits and vegetables all year round at supermarkets, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of fresh and vibrant produce during the summer growing season.
May is a great time to explore and indulge in the abundance of seasonal produce. From fresh greens to flavorful fruits, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some suggestions for making the most of May’s star produce.
Asparagus
Asparagus season is upon us, but be quick; this little stick of goodness is usually only with us from May to June.
Asparagus is a tender and distinctive vegetable packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and fibre, so when it comes to cooking it, it is the star of the show.
We think it’s at its best dipped in boiling water and served with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt and a crack of black pepper – divine!
Asparagus is also delicious grilled, roasted, or sautéed. It is an excellent addition to pasta, salads, stir-fries, or a side dish.
Radishes
A member of the mustard family, this crisp, peppery vegetable is rich in folic acid and potassium.
It is a great source of vitamin B6, magnesium, riboflavin, and calcium. Packing a great crunch, they’re a tangy and colourful addition to salads, sandwiches and stir-fries.
Spinach
Spinach is a true superfood. Rich in vitamins A, C and K, iron, folate, potassium and fibre, Spinach is used in dishes worldwide.
The bitter flavour is distinctive and tends to divide the nation into lovers or haters of this tender green powerhouse. The milder, young leaves add depth to salads, whilst the older and darker leaves are ideal for everything from curry and pasta dishes to smoothies and dips.
Rhubarb
Colourful and flavoursome, rhubarb is a vegetable, but its thick, fleshy stalks are treated as a fruit, despite the tart flavour.
Jam-packed full of healthy nutrients, minerals, and vitamins C and A, at this time of year, those luscious pink-tinged stalks are at their most intense.
Rhubarb is incredibly versatile and can be used in everything from tarts and cakes to gin. We love to throw the stems in the oven with brown sugar, ginger and water and serve over ice cream.
Herbs
Herbs are a chef’s best friend. From pesto to gorgeous salads, a sprig of thyme or a sprinkle of chives can elevate most seasonal dishes to the next level.
Moreover, herbs are easy to grow and only need a small window or a patio to thrive. May is the perfect time to grab a packet of seeds and create a delicious garden.
How easy is it to grow seasonal vegetables?
Growing your own seasonal fruit and vegetables couldn’t be easier.
All you need is a small space, a pot, a vertical planter or, if you have a garden, then a small patch of space, compost, water and sunlight and you have everything that you need to begin to grow the vegetables that you love to eat.
Gardening as a family can be a fantastic way to teach children about the seasonality of food. It’s also great fun watching seeds poke their heads up through the soil and waiting for those first tomatoes to ripen and burst with flavour in your mouth.
Much of gardening is trial and error; some things will work better than others. Some veg needs more space, water and light to grow, whilst others are a little more demanding and might need protection from caterpillars, birds and even small fingers that love to explore their muddy homes.
This month in the garden is one of the busiest in the season as, with the warming of the soil, it’s the first month that many of the less hardy plants can be sown and grown directly outside. These include:
- Cabbages
- Cauliflower
- Courgettes
- Cucumber
- French beans
- Runner beans
- Parsley
- Pumpkins
- Squash
- Sweetcorn
- Tomatoes
Whether you’re eating or growing fruits and vegetables, May is a stellar month for food, and as the month warms up, the taste of summer will only get stronger – we can’t wait!
Hey Fresto!’s seasonal dishes
At Hey Fresto!, we have an array of gourmet meals packed with seasonal produce such as Spinach and lentil pie with Kale Mash and Harrisa and herb cous cous just waiting to be discovered.
Blast frozen on the day our chefs prepare them; our nutrient-filled dishes offer a healthy and easy way to enjoy frozen ready meals for all the family.