When you walk into a supermarket, it can be hard to decide on what to buy.
We all know that fruit and veg are key, but why eat green beans from South Africa or tomatoes from Argentina when there are better local alternatives?
You get the most out of food when it’s in season from a nutritional, cost and taste point of view.
While top chefs get paid to know this stuff, the average punter on the street just isn’t clued in.
We’ve done the hard work for you. If you live in our corner of the world, these are the seven things you should be loading up on in May…
1. Asparagus
The reality is that you’ll see these in the shops at all times of the year, but around this time they’re not flown in from across the world and will be packed full of goodness and flavour.
An asparagus recipe worth using.
2. New potatoes
We know a thing or two about spuds here in Ireland and eat them all year round, but this is the time of year when they taste that little bit better. Our mammies knew this stuff for years, but we need to learn it all over again. Go local and enjoy the taste.
A new potato recipe worth checking out.
3. Watercress
You might have tasted watercress before and mightn’t have been impressed by it, but the chances are you were eating it out of season. Try it now and enjoy that wonderful fresh peppery taste.
A watercress recipe worth trying.
4. Lamb
So the health benefits of this one are negligible, but the taste of lamb at this time of year is lip-lickingly good.
A decent Irish lamb recipe.
5. Spinach
You see the bags on the shelves all year around, but get some organic spinach from a local producer during May and you’ll get so much more from this most simple and versatile of ingredients. Try eating it raw, it’s that sweet and good.
A great spinach recipe worth trying.
6. Rhubarb
The humble rhubarb tart or pie might not be the healthiest, but by God does it taste good at this time of year. There’s so much more you can do with it right now, with it’s natural sweetness and gorgeous taste.
An incredible recipe from a top blogger to test out.
7. Purple sprouting broccoli
The sight of it might worry people, leaving you unsure what to do with the ingredient. You see it every day of the year on the shelves in its more plain green version, but this offspring is delicious, tender and absolutely packed full of goodness.
An incredible recipe from one of the top bloggers in the world.
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