7 Italian Recipes to Celebrate Spring
With the arrival of the spring season, it is time to feast on fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables, ideal to prepare our bodies for the warmer temperatures and our skin for greater sun exposure. Asparagus and fava beans shine among spring vegetables, and fruit sees the arrival of cherries and strawberries. Other seasonal ingredients we can include in our spring grocery list are zucchini (late spring/early summer) and lemons.
Below is a list of Italian recipes using ingredients from the spring to prepare appetizers, primi or salads. Enjoy!
Fava Bean Pesto
Perhaps no other vegetable heralds the arrival of spring in Italy so much as the fava bean. The recipe featured here is inspired by the Ligurian specialty marò, and preserves the unique flavor of the raw fava bean. Perfect as an appetizer, or to toss in your pasta.
Fried Zucchini Blossoms
Crunchy, salty and addictive, fried zucchini blossoms are a great way to start your meal.
Pici With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Fresh Anchovies and Lemon
Pici is Tuscany’s favorite pasta. This sauce is rich, but fresh, making it a great spring/summer lunch dish.
Fusilli with Lemon
Simple and essential, this dish typifies the Italians’ gift for turning whatever they have to hand into a feast. Serve when you have unexpected guests, when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen or when you have more lemons than you know what to do with!
Asparagus, Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes Salad
Asparagus, zucchini and cherry tomatoes are the stars of this delicious and healthy salad, synonymous with spring.
Fava Beans Salad
A great 'contorno', side dish, with fava beans, spring vegetable par excellence.
Italian Cherry Liquor Recipe
Found later in the spring, the lovely cherry is used to make this 'liquore', perfect to end your meal.