Spring Cravings
We’ve had a flurry of unseasonably warm weather up north the past week. In addition to breaking out my flip flops about a month early, I’ve started thinking about the foods I like to eat in warmer weather. Now I’m not foolish enough to believe that the warm weather will last. In fact, I fully expect to see at least a few snow flurries once more.
But even though the warmth is probably fleeting, the stews and soups and roasted veggies I’ve been living on during the winter just don’t sound appetizing once the temperature hits 80f.
Yesterday, in an early celebration of warm weather, I treated myself to lunch at a nice restaurant where one of the specialties is Gazpacho, that marvelous tomato-based soup chock full of all kinds of lovely raw veggies. I won’t make it myself until about August, when I can buy tomatoes and peppers at the farmers’ market. But it was a nice early reminder that summer is on the way.
In fact, I won’t be able to get any true local produce for a few more months, as the farmers’ markets don’t open until sometime in June. But, I can at least pick up some of the things I’m craving at the local super market. Chief among the things I’m craving right now are salads. So today I’m going to hit the store to get the makings for Greek peasant salad (cucumber, tomatoes, feta, olives).
As the picture above indicates, I also have strong cravings for asparagus this time of year, and intend to pick some up this morning as well. I like to steam a big batch of asparagus, and eat one serving immediately. Then, I’ll chill the rest with a marinade of some type, and add it to salads for the next few days.
Where I run into more difficulty is with protein. I have no problem coming up with ideas for stews, soups, roast chickens, etc. in the winter. But once warm weather hits I lose my taste for a lot of proteins. I will do some veggie burgers in my George Foreman grill, as well as the occasional BBQ chicken or fish, but that’s about it in warm weather.
But in addition to all that healthy stuff I’m craving, there’s one rather controversial thing I’m craving, and it is first up on my shopping list this morning. It’s an elusive treat that’s mainly available just this time of year. It’s not even remotely healthy, is probably way too sweet, but I love them. Yes, I’m talking about the Cadbury Creme Egg, and I will be picking up a few later today.
Do you have any special foods you’re craving right now, or do you eat pretty much the same year round?
Strawberries are big and beautiful and flavorful now. Love them. As for cravings, I don’t really have any depending on the season. I try to make healthy choices all year, so I guess I eat the same. Maybe less soups or heavy pasta. I toss whole wheat pasta with shrimp and asparagus. Putting the shrimp on the grill makes them more summer-like. Also, grilled shrimp tacos on whole wheat soft tortillas with tomatillo sauce, lettuce, onion and a little greek yogurt, or sour cream. yum.
I love frozen grapes too! For some reason I only like to freeze the red ones, lol. Thank you for reminding how fantastic warm weather is for food, especially fruits!
Tee, grapes are another thing I crave year round, but you’re right, they’re just not the same in the winter. I also like to freeze grapes in the summer in individual serving ziploc bags. They make a really nice snack on a hot day.
Marcella, that’s an excellent point about our cravings often providing nutrients that we need.
Lee, love fresh blueberries and cherries. Can’t wait for them to be in season.
I definitely eat the same year round but I do like being able to buy fresh blueberries and cherries when the season hits.
I think we should listen to our own body. Usually you don’t get cravings for nothing. After getting diagnosed with a certain disease, which amongst others caused a low iron content in my blood, I realized that the food I had been craving for years contained high doses of iron. After treatment of the disease the cravings disappeared.
I guess vegetables that are produced locally (and slowly, not ‘magicked’ out of the earth in a third of the time) contain stuff that’s good for you at that time of the year.
Those asparagus e.g. contain stuff that stimulates your metabolism and kidneys, nice after a long winter eating heavy foods.
So… don’t feel guilty about craving chocolate – your body REALLY needs it ;-)
As with you, LinnieGayl, when the weather warms up, it’s salad, salad and more salads, topped with chicken or salmon or even an antipasto salad with ham, cheese, salami and all that other bad stuff.
I never lose my taste for a great juicy hamburger, so they’re always in season as far as I’m concerned.
Grapes—I can never get enough of them and they’re usually in good supply during the warm weather with great prices to boot. When winter approaches, I miss grapes a lot. They’re not always that tasty during that time and are usually very pricey.