Food & Recipes

10 Spring Fruits and Veggies You Should Try

Fabulous Fruits continued...

4. Blood Oranges

They look like regular oranges on the outside, but inside are darkly colored and full of flavor.

Available: January-June.
Buying tips: Choose firm oranges that seem heavy for their size and have a sweet fragrance.
Best way to store: Store on the kitchen counter for up to one week, or two weeks if refrigerated.
Nutritional attributes: One orange contains 3 grams of fiber, 6% Daily Value for vitamin A, 120% for vitamin C, and 6% for calcium.
Eating/cooking tips: Colorful slices or wedges make great plate garnishes or a great snack. Segments add color and flavor to fruit salads or green salads.

5. Star Fruit

This fruit gets the award for the most unusual shape! It adds a refreshing tropical flavor to any meal or dish.

Available: Year-round.
Buying tips: Look for firm, glossy-skinned fruit without bruising. Don't worry if you see browning on the tips of the ridges; it's a sign of ripeness.
Best way to store: Store in the refrigerator in a plastic or paper bag for up to a week. Or, you can slice the fruit and freeze it in sealable bags.
Nutritional attributes: One fruit contains 30% Daily Value for vitamin C.
Eating/cooking tips: Slice it horizontally into star shapes, and you have fun garnish for your plate or an attractive addition to any fruit salad or green salad. Remove the seeds before eating.

6. Sunburst Squash

These bright yellow, small round squash pieces are easily sliced or cubed. Use them in any recipes calling for zucchini.

Available: Year-round.
Buying tips: Look for squash that are plump and feel heavy for their size, with glossy and tender skin.
Best way to store: Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to a week.
Nutritional attributes: One cup contains 38% Daily Value for vitamin C.
Eating/cooking tips: Colorful slices or wedges make great plate garnishes or a great snack. Segments add color and flavor to fruit salads or green salads.

7. Sugar Snap Peas

These are one of my favorite raw veggie snack foods. They are crunchy and fresh-tasting, easy to eat straight from the refrigerator.

Available: Year-round.
Buying tips: Select firm, plump, bright-green pods.
Best way to store: Keep refrigerated in a plastic bag and use within a few days.
Nutritional attributes: 1 cup contains 4 grams fiber, 140% Daily Value for vitamin C, 16% for iron.
Eating/cooking tips: You can eat the entire pod. These are great in lunches (just put raw sugar snap peas in a sandwich bag), or add them to a vegetable platter and serve with light dip. They taste good cooked, too, so you can use them in your favorite stir-fry recipe.

8. Radicchio

This gorgeous green is a flavorful way to add color to your salad.