18 Spring Vegetable Recipes

At long last, the days of hibernation have ended as we approach the spring equinox, and soon enough, farmers' markets will be bustling with fresh fruits and vegetables ripe for the taking. After a winter of cozying up with plenty of hearty soups, stews, and all-around comfort food, it’s time to enjoy some spring vegetable recipes to celebrate the change in seasons. New season, new food — that’s what I’m talking about.

Now, just because more vegetables are fresh this time of year doesn’t mean that spring salad recipes are the only way to enjoy seasonal food. Vegetables like asparagus, radishes, artichokes, peas, and fennel are totally versatile, and that means that they taste good in lighter dishes like salads and soups, but they also make a major impact in more indulgent meals like say, pasta and pizza. It’s all about balance and fitting in vegetables wherever you can.

From unique asparagus recipes to green-filled dishes of all kinds, these meals won’t disappoint. All you need to do is head down to your local farmers' market (or, OK, your local produce section) to be inspired by plenty of in-season flavors. These 18 recipes will help your diet embrace a gorgeous new season.

1. Spring Salad Niçoise

Butter lettuce and asparagus are the stand-out ingredients of this classic salad. A Beautiful Mess pulls it all in with a light, lemony dressing.

2. Buttery Pan-Seared Artichokes

In need of an appetizer that will seriously impress? A Cozy Kitchen makes use of in-season artichokes with an Asian-inspired twist, thanks to ponzu sauce.

3. Green Beans With Chinese Preserved Radish Stir-Fry

Sometimes, seeking out hard-to-find recipes is totally worth it. Steamy Kitchen proves that crunchy, salty Chinese preserved radish makes a wonderful complement to crisp, in-season green beans.

4. Spinach Artichoke Mini Quiches

With just three ingredients (plus salt and pepper), what's not to love about Cara's Cravings' mini quiches? Serve them up for an easy appetizer or try them out for breakfast.

5. Roasted Radish Polenta

Radishes can be an intimidating ingredient, with their crisp texture and sharp taste. But Naturally Ella shows that roasting them (and pairing them with creamy, cheesy polenta) results in a more mellow, smooth taste.

6. Spring Onion Frittata

Spring onions aren't just for garnish or subtle flavoring — Love and Lemons shows they can be the stand-out ingredient of a dish. Bookmark this recipe for a spring equinox brunch.

7. Spring Carrot, Radish, And Quinoa Salad With Herbed Avocado

For an easy-to-eat salad, Cookie and Kate shaves springtime carrots into ribbons and chops radish finely. But what makes this salad even more delicious is creamy avocado, mixed with mint, cilantro, and coriander.

8. Spring Vegetable Jumble With Lemon Tarragon Butter

Radishes, carrots, leeks, asparagus, and peas are all spring vegetables that taste their freshest this time of year. But Five and Spice proves that they can definitely be cozy, too.

9. Springtime Pizza

Top a homemade pizza covered in mozzarella, fontina, and a chipotle romanesco sauce with shaved asparagus, and you're in for a surprisingly refreshing treat. Half Baked Harvest tops it off with yolky eggs to make it even better.

10. Simple Asparagus Soup

You can still eat fresh on a blustery March day. A Beautiful Mess' simple asparagus soup is a cozier way to get some spring veggies into your diet.

11. Lemon Kale Artichoke One-Pot Pasta

Skip the marinara sauce — a simple pasta dinner gets totally revived with A Cozy Kitchen's artichoke-laden recipe.

12. Asparagus Gratin

Asparagus is a vegetable that tastes good when it's cooked simply, by being roasted or blanched. But, you know, a cheesy roux doesn't hurt either. Thanks, Steamy Kitchen.

13. Lebanese-Style Stuffed Artichokes

There's a whole lot more you can do with artichokes than just putting them in dip. Cara's Cravings stuffed 'em with ground turkey, tomatoes, cucumber, and plenty of spices for an unexpectedly hearty dish.

14. Spring Sorghum Salad With Radish And Roasted Asparagus

Naturally Ella brings a bounty of spring produce to your plate with this refreshing salad. Feta cheese and sorghum help make it a filling meal.

15. Lemon Risotto With Asparagus And Peas

While risotto can easily feel like a heavy, decadent winter meal, a little citrus goes a long way to lighten things up. Love and Lemons throws in some asparagus and peas for some extra green, making this a winning springtime dinner.

16. Spring Panzanella

Aromatic fennel brings a crisp edge to this traditional Tuscan salad. Cookie and Kate shows that a light lemony dressing and crusty homemade croutons make the perfect pair.

17. Asparagus, Avocado, And Feta Tacos

Asparagus in tacos? Yes, Five and Spice shows that this unlikely ingredient may just be meant for a corn tortilla. Pickled radishes also make a vibrant complement.

18. Spring Tuscan Quinoa Bake

Artichokes are the seasonal star of this seriously cheesy dish by Half Baked Harvest. Plenty of red bell peppers keeps it vibrant, while quinoa adds plenty of protein. Consider this an alternative to your usual spaghetti dinner.

Images: Half Baked Harvest (3); A Beautiful Mess (2); A Cozy Kitchen (2); Steamy Kitchen (2); Cara's Cravings (2); Naturally Ella (2); Love and Lemons (2); Cookie and Kate (2); Five and Spice (2)