Some Inspiration for a Basket of Spring Vegetables

Peas. Lots of people now regard frozen peas as better than fresh, but really they just have a different flavour. I like the very sweet flavour of tiny petits pois, but I also look forward to fresh peas coming on to the market.

Asparagus. I make sure I take advantage of the two-month season for English asparagus in May and June. In those months, make it part of your daily diet, just eaten with a knob of butter and seasoning. If you have a local farm, do go down and buy for a really fresh flavour.

Beans. Broad beans are the first beans to come into season in May and are beautiful peeled and buttered. I also love French beans, hot or cold in salads, and I’m a massive fan of the summer’s very fresh runner beans, shredded and steamed, quite peppery and rolled in butter.