Out-of-the-Box Ways To Enjoy Fresh Spring Produce

One of the best parts about the spring season is all the produce that is now fresh and ready to be eaten. When you head to your local grocer to pick up your favorite fruits and vegetables, consider changing up the way you eat your produce. Here are a few unconventional, but yummy ways to incorporate spring fruits and veggies into your regular diet:

Oranges
This popular citrus fruit is commonly peeled and eaten plain – after all, its tangy juices and fresh texture make it a tasty and healthy snack. But there are many other ways to enjoy this spring fruit. You can add it to a multitude of dishes to provide a splash of extra flavor.

Add it to oatmeal: Start your morning off right with a bowl of oatmeal. Place some orange slices on top with a bit of brown sugar to give your dish an even more delicious taste.

Orange salsa: Need the perfect topping for your fish tacos? Mix chopped oranges with tomatoes, cilantro, green onions and lime juice for a unique salsa that would combine flawlessly with chicken or fish.

Asparagus
Asparagus is a highly versatile vegetable – whether it’s grilled, roasted, steamed or baked, it’s always a great way to add both flavor and nutrients to your dish. Transform this spring veggie with any of these ideas:

Dress up your salad: Instead of your traditional salad dressing, consider topping your greens with an asparagus vinaigrette. You can whip up your own concoction right at home by combining blanched asparagus with canola oil, freshly ground pepper, salt, Dijon mustard and lemon juice for a flavorful way to improve any salad.

Pasta sauce: Turn stalks of asparagus into the perfect spring pesto for a pasta dish. Combine your asparagus pesto with basil, lemon juice, olive oil and Parmigiano-Reggiano for a tasty way to kick off the spring season.

Pineapple
When people think about pineapple, it’s likely that the words fresh, tangy and citrus come to mind. This yellow fruit is easy to add to your diet with these tasty ideas:

Smoothie: Start your morning with a tropical smoothie or take one with you as a midday snack. Using just 1 cup of frozen bananas and 1 1/2 cups of fresh chopped pineapple, you can have a flavorful, frosty shake to enjoy at any time of day.

Cupcakes: Satisfy your sweet tooth by baking a dozen pineapple cupcakes. Apply some vanilla frosting and garnish with a fresh slice of pineapple to add a bit of color and extra flavor to complement your cupcakes. With a baking program online, you can learn how to incorporate pineapple into a number of other tasty treats!