Buying seasonally is important if you want to get the best flavor out of produce from the farmer’s market, garden or grocery store. But did you know that buying in season is a huge money saver?

Buying seasonal produce allows shoppers to save thanks to regular sales and discounts on seasonal items. It’s a simple case of supply and demand that lowers costs for you at the grocery store. So, let’s take a stroll through some ways to prepare spring produce while we save money from the abundance!

First, the list:

• Apples
• Apricots
• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Celery
• Kale
• Kiwi
• Pineapples
• Radishes
• Rhubarb
• Spinach

Not sure what to do with these items? Here are some springtime ways to prepare them.

Apricot Muffins

Even in the spring, there’s still enough chill in the morning air for a warm muffin to hit the sweet spot. Use peak-of-season apricots in this delicious recipe.

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/2 stick butter, softened
• 1 cup SR flour
• 10 fresh ripe apricots, peeled, pitted, and diced

Streusel Topping:

• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 stick salted butter (melted)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin or line the tin with papers.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar and cinnamon, add melted butter and stir with a fork until crumbly and set aside.

1. In a large bowl gently fold about 2/3 of apricots with the flour and toss them until all are coated with thin layer of flour.
2. In medium bowl mix sugar and butter until the mixture becomes fluffy.
3. Add the eggs, one by one and mix well. Add the yogurt, vanilla, sugar and mix until combined.
4. Add the yogurt and egg mixture to the flour mixture. Stir just until combined.
5. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tins, using two spoons or an ice cream scoop, filling about 2/3 of each cup. Cover the batter with the remaining apricots and then cover the apricots generously with streusel topping.
6. Place them in the oven and bake about 20-25 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan then remove muffins and cool on a wire rack.

Broccoli Salad

Ok, so broccoli is on the list, but it may seem like a boring option. No worries, the following is a delicious springtime salad idea.

• 1 large bunch of fresh broccoli, cleaned, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 6 cups)
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 8 strips bacon, fried crisp, drained and crumbled
• 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup vinegar

In a large bowl, toss together broccoli, onion, dried cranberries, bacon and sunflower seeds; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar; mix well.

Pour dressing over broccoli mixture; toss lightly to combine. Store in refrigerator.


BBQ time is springing up so use the cabbage for homemade slaw. It’s great as a side dish or a hot dog topper. This recipe is my own concoction that has turned into a highly requested favorite.

Cole Slaw

BBQ time is springing up so use the cabbage for homemade slaw. It’s great as a side dish or a hot dog topper. This recipe is my own concoction that has turned into a highly requested favorite.

• 1 medium head of green cabbage
• 1/4 of a medium white onion
• juice of half a lemon
• 1/4 cup dill pickle juice
• 4 Tbsp sugar (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

In a food processor, finely grate cabbage and onion together. Add all other ingredients and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate for 2+ hours and enjoy!

Springtime is just the beginning of the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables that are to come. Whether it’s baking, grilling, chopping, mixing or a simple bowl of collards and cornbread. Springtime is the gateway to the multitude of options to fresh, healthy eating at affordable prices.