March Seasonal Meal Planning
If you are looking to make the most of the season, this article will help you understand what is in season in March and why you should be taking advantage of the freshness and quality that comes with purchasing in-season produce.
In March, the time of year when the days grow longer and the temperatures start to rise, your grocery list might look a little different. As the season begins to move away from the winter months, there are a few seasonal fruits and vegetables that are at their best during the month of March.
In this post, you will learn what is in season in March, how to select the most delicious produce, and seasonal household tips. I will also share my favorite recipes using seasonal produce and my favorite spring entertaining tips. Get ready to stock up and savor the freshness of March’s bountiful selection of seasonal produce.
This post is based on a Betty Crocker’s Cooking Calendar, published in 1962. I collect vintage cookbooks and found this book in an antique store. I’ll share the content on a monthly basis and give you a breakdown of each month’s plan.
Daffodils that come before the swallow dares and take the winds of March with beauty. ~ William Shakespeare
Seasonal for March:
Flower: Daffodil
Gem: Aquamarine
Did you know?
March gets its name from the Roman God of War, Mars.
How to shop onions — buyer’s guide:
Believe it or not, there are more varieties of onions than you can imagine, and a purpose for every one.
1 pound white onions serves 3 to 4.
Select onions with hard bulbs, thin necks, and dry crackled skin.
Types of Dry onions:
American: Red, yellow or white; strong flavor, medium size, globe shape.
Bermuda: white or yellow; mild flavor, flat type.
Spanish or Valencia: white or yellow-brown; mild, sweet, largest in size, globe shape
Buy for a purpose:
For vegetable, buy American or Bermuda, 1-2 inches in diameter.
For seasoning, buy yellow or red.
Other onion varieties:
Chives: slender, tubular, dark green leaves
Garlic: small bulb made of cloves, white skin
Shallot: looks like garlic, but milder, brown skin (sometimes purplish hue)
Green onions: immature bulbs
Leeks: larger than scallions, rounded base, solid flat leaves
Scallions: small bulb, thick neck
Try HAMMER & Spoons seasonal recipes:
Devil’s Food Cake (a vintage recipe)
Household Helper:
March is a good time to take a good look at your home. Walk around as if you were a visitor and take a look at everything you’ve become used to so far. Is there anything you think you can do to freshen things up? This is also a good time take a look at that collection of decorating ideas. Go through your Pinterest saves or, if you are old school like myself, pick up all those magazines you’ve been holding on to.
After you’ve taken a good look at the inside, walk around the outside. Does your garden need any maintenance or care? Pay close attention to where annuals are planted. Are you seeing blooms where you want to see them? Work on any blank spots by making a note at what’s blooming now (at the beginning of spring) and plan what will be planted in the next coming season.
Betty Crocker’s tip: “be sure you think very carefully before ripping up, tearing down, or stripping off anything”.
Talk to people who have done similar work, get their opinions–join efforts with them if you plan to DIY and enlist their help. If you have to hire a professional, be sure you get multiple references and quotes before selecting.
Entertaining:
March is the time to get your pretty floral or light linens out and set your table with seasonal flowers. With spring rain and sun, roses are almost always in bloom. Partner those with seasonal daffodils and you will have a beautiful place setting.
Don’t limit yourself to plastic or paper party goods. Bring out those thrifted plates and cups. That’s the perfect use for dishes, often missing their full set pieces. Put them together for an eclectic look.
Read more on entertaining in my blog post: Hostess Entertaining Tips from the 1930’s
HAMMER & Spoons favorite party essentials:
Mason Jar Drinking Dispenser with Lid
How I make my own votives for table settings (and other fun DIY with jars). Read more on the blog: Repurposed Glass Jars
March is a great time to get creative in the kitchen with seasonal ingredients. This post was all about what is in season in March and how to take advantage of seasonal shopping, and spring entertaining. I hope you also take a look at my favorite entertaining essentials.
Get creative and take advantage of the season by stocking up on fresh and seasonal produce. Who knows – you could even discover your new favorite recipe!
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