March 31, 2023
By Joanna Revers

What’s In Season In April? A Produce & Recipe Guide

Joanna Revers

March 31, 2023

A mix of seasonal spring vegetables laid in a decorative natural pile in colors of green, bright purple, pink, orange, and yellow. Piles of carrots, peas, carrots, strawberries, endive, rainbow chard, and easter radishes.

Table Of Contents

This April seasonal eating guide discusses the benefits of seasonal eating, lists this month’s in-season produce, and shares some seasonal recipes for April…

The beginning of April can be much like the beginning of March here in Vermont. As I write this, it is snowing outside, but the bulbs are up about six inches in some cases. The maple trees have buds, as do some of my other shrubs. It’s snowing now, but it will be 60°F here tomorrow. We are just about in, what we refer to as, mud season.

Nevertheless, spring fruits and vegetables are starting to make their way to the market, and lighter, brighter seasonal vegetables are here to help us clear what we have been storing all winter.

As the world around us shifts with the seasons, so do the foods that are harvested. It should only make sense then, that our eating follows this same pattern. Seasonal eating is when you eat foods at the time of year that they are harvested. This is something that we tend to do naturally, eating pumpkin in fall for instance, or asparagus in spring. But did you know that seasonal eating throughout the year can improve your health and the environment?

1. In-Season Produce Tastes Better

Eating foods that are harvested when they are ripe in their local growing season simply taste better. Out of season produce on the other hand is picked early, stored in cold storage for months, and sometimes travels long distances to reach you. In season fruits and vegetables are allowed to ripen fully before being harvested, which improves not only their flavor, but their nutrition too.

2. Eating Seasonally Improves Nutrition

Allowing produce to ripen fully before harvesting maximizes its nutrient availability (the amount that your body is able to process.) It is at it’s maximum right after harvest, so eating fruits and vegetables right after they are picked is better for you. As the time from harvest increases, the nutrient availability decreases, sometimes by as much as 30-50%.

3. Seasonal Eating Improves Gut Health

Eating seasonally means that you are eating foods as they become available from season to season, or month to month. This means that instead of eating the same foods all year round, you are eating a varied mix, diversifying your diet. Studies have shown that human microbiomes change in accordance with the seasons, and that eating seasonally can help promote proper gut bacteria and improve health. For more on the importance of gut health click here.

4. It Is Better For The Environment

Eating out of season and non-local produce not only decreases the nutritional value of the foods, it also increases the carbon footprint of them. Out of season produce can be kept in cold storage for months, using energy to preserve it. Non-local produce often must be flown or shipped long distances to reach you. increases their carbon footprint.

Seasonal Low-Carb, Keto Vegtables For April

  • Artichokes
  • Asparagus
  • Ramps
  • Radishes
  • Rhubarb
  • Celeriac
  • Endive
  • Frisee
  • Fennel
  • Kale
  • Shallots & Onions
  • Carrots

  • Leeks
  • Celery
  • Rutabaga
  • Turnips
  • Delicata & Spaghetti Squash
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Collard Greens
  • Cabbage

Seasonal Low-Carb, Keto Fruits For April

  • Avocados
  • Lemons
  • Blood Oranges

  • Strawberries
  • Kumquats
  • Limes

Greek Goddess Dip With Vegetable Crudité

Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake With Cheesecake Cream

Jammy Blue Cheese & Almond Endive Bites

Blood Orange And Roasted Beet Salad With Labneh & Pistachios

Avocado Egg & Arugula Salad With Lemon Balsamic Vinaigrette

Low Carb Meyer Lemon Curd

Asparagus, Brie & Smoked Salmon Frittata

Whipped Cauliflower With Mascarpone

Delicata Squash Gruyère Gratin

Mashed Rutabaga With Sherried Onions

Is Citrus Keto Friendly?

The answer is yes and no. Some citrus fruits have high amounts of sugar and carbs making them not ideal to eat (or drink) in their entirety. But that doesn't mean that you have to cut them out entirely. The great thing about citrus fruits is that they can be used for their juice, zest, or flesh... so you can enjoy that citrus flavor without having to eat the whole fruit.

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