Heather Parlato

Radishes have been around all spring, but they're still abundant in the farmer's market, ready to enjoy! Yet another edible root vegetable from the Brassica family (kale, cabbage, chard. etc.), radishes are a popular garden choice because they grow relatively quickly in both spring and fall seasons. The raw flesh has a robust crunch and a pungent, peppery flavor due to an amino acid and an enzyme which combine when chewed to form the same compound found in mustard, horseradish and wasabi. The young leaves are edible, making a nice addition to soups, as are the seeds, which can be used as a spicy, crunchy seasoning.

It's officially summer, so let's start with something that's abundant all season: zucchini! It is one of the many offspring of the ancestral summer squashes introduced by the americas, and has spread to temperate climates around the world to spawn the many varieties we see today. Though they can take on different shapes, most pattypan squashes grow and taste very similar, so mix them up for some variety of color and shape!

For the last week of spring, we're looking at colorful heirloom tomatoes that have a longer season than hybrid tomatoes, if what my favorite organic sellers are carrying is any indication. Heirloom varieties don't have a hard & fast definition, but they tend to be strains that haven't been crossbred or hybridized for about 50 years, predating the more recent commercialization of agriculture.

In the final weeks of spring, we'll enjoy some delicious seasonal transitions between spring and summer fare. This week, we're looking at peas, are cool-weather annuals with longstanding traditions in Mediterranean cooking. While there are many delicious things to do with dried & frozen peas, to keep with our seasonal theme, we'll just be looking at fresh peas, so you can enjoy them now with all their seasonal pairings.

If you love cherries, good news is finally here: it's cherry season! I found these lovely specimens at the farmers' market to be colorful, sweet and delicious, and so declared this week cherry week. While it's hard to argue with eating them raw, one after the other, plenty of people will try, so I've collected the best of a range of options for your cherry enjoyment.

If you've been to the farmers' market recently, and noticed these large, fuzzy beans and put them off for next time—think again! Fava beans are only available fresh for a short time in spring, so get them while you can. Though they can be prepared so you can eat the pods and all, favas require a bit of work to shuck and shell, but if you're able to plan ahead a bit, you'll be rewarded by a tasty, hearty bean with a fresh nutty flavor.

It's a new, springtimey month, designers of Los Angeles and surrounding environs, and that means a new selection of fantastic & fun creative industry events—maybe even outside on patios! Take a look, join in if you can, and post any new ones in the comments so we can all get out, meet up, hang, and enjoy our profession!

It's April, it's warm, and no doubt, strawberries have popped up all over the Southern California farmers' markets. As one of the most familiar household fruits, I can't tell you much you don't already know, but I'll try to give you some new ideas about how to use them. On the hit parade, we have fruit salads, jams & jellies, juices, milk shakes & smoothies, ice creams & sorbets, tarts & pies. Throw some in your spring sangria, substitute them for stone fruits in spring BBQ and hot sauces, or melt down your favorite chocolate, dip & chill for a delicious treat.

Though they're rarely sold commercially, if you've been in southern California for more than just a vacation, you've probably encountered loquat trees all over the landscape, sometimes in parking strips, empty lots, and often used in decorative landscaping on private property. If you grew up here, and your parents knew they were delicious and safe to eat, you've been eating them for years, surprising friends, co-workers and other transplants by sharing this sweet and abundant treat.

Hey, LA design community! Get out your planner, or launch your fancy calendar apps, and take note of some great design industry events happening around town for the last two weeks of April. As usual, if you have an event to share, post it in the comments to maximize the direct proportionality of the more truly being the merrier.