Can’t Wait for Spring

The chefs at Grace’s Marketplace share their favorite springtime foods

Written by: Maria & Rusty Pacheco

Spring signifies new beginnings and fresh starts. As we leave the chill of winter behind, we eagerly look forward to seasonal blooms, and this holds true for those of us in the food industry as well.

Spring in the food industry heralds the arrival of plump artichokes, hearty asparagus, fresh fennel, rhubarb, and swiss chard—just to name a few vegetables. Fruits we look forward to include apricots, casaba melon, fresh currants, figs, and luscious cherries.

Local fish is abundant and readily available. Flounder, tuna, monkfish, and skate caught off the shores of Montauk all make for healthy and delicious meals. Oyster Bay yields a wealth of shellfish including clams and, of course, Blue Point oysters.

Spring also signifies the arrival of holidays celebrated over meals that call for lamb. At Grace’s Marketplace, we carry organic baby spring lamb that is raised nearby in Pennsylvania. Here’s a recipe for our favorite way to prepare it.

Roast Baby Spring Lamb

1 organic baby spring lamb, cut in pieces
Extra virgin olive oil
6 garlic cloves, sliced
6 sprigs fresh organic rosemary
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Zest and juice of one organic lemon
1 bunch organic parsley

Heat the oven to 350°F. Place the lamb in a baking dish. Generously coat the lamb and the baking dish with olive oil. Using the point of a sharp knife, make small incisions in the lamb pieces and push in the slices of garlic. Roughly chop the leaves of three of the rosemary sprigs and sprinkle over the lamb along with salt and pepper. Tuck the remaining sprigs of rosemary under the lamb. Sprinkle the lemon zest over the lamb, then pour the lemon juice over the lamb. Roast the lamb in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Baste regularly with the pan juices, using the bunch of parsley as a basting brush.