The Spring Equinox is a celebration of growth, beginnings, fertility, potential, and opportunities. We are finally stretching out of hibernation and celebrating the warming temperatures and balance of light and dark. Birds begin to wake us up with their songs and early flowers like phlox, daffodils, and violets bring dashes of color to the landscape. After a long winter of working through pantry foods and heavier dishes, spring brings us a welcoming shift to lighter and greener spring vegetables. The wonderful egg is on display, giving us nourishment and reminding us that the wheel of the year has returned to a time that honors fertility and rebirth.
Some of the staples of Spring Equinox meals include early spring greens, eggs, ham, and fish. If you love to get some healthy vegetables in your diet, the Spring Equinox is for you. Kale, spinach, arugula, kale, broccoli, spring onions, radishes, and artichokes are among some of the earlier spring crops that are utilized in Spring Equinox meals. In terms of fruits, citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges add a bright pop of flavor to dishes. Herbs that flavor meals during early Spring include cilantro, dill, parsley, mint, and thyme. Eggs are an obvious choice to indulge in at this time of year, being an essential symbol of fertility and sustenance. When considering what to prepare this time of year, think about what is in season in your area: see what produce local farmers have available during this time and if you have any greens sprouting in your own garden. Have fun with making bright green dishes, and don’t forget to enjoy a sweet treat for dessert!
Main Courses
Ham, fish, and chicken reign supreme for Spring Equinox main courses. Lemon flavored chicken or fish would make a great main dish. If you prefer a vegetarian or vegan diet you don’t have to worry about feeling left out either: stuffed mushrooms or green pasta dishes are options for folks who don’t eat meat.
Blackened Fish Sandwiches with Horseradish Tartar Sauce
Carrot and Spring Onion Toad in the Hole
Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe
Creamy Baked Eggs with Leeks and Spinach
Crustless Asparagus, Leek & Feta Quiche
One Pot Lemon Chicken and Orzo
Orecchiete with Sausage and Spinach
Pasta with Cauliflower, White Beans, and Kale
Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi with a Lemon Oil Drizzle
Spring Brunch Crepes with Hollandaise Sauce
Spring Green Minestrone with Tortellini
Sweet Pea Gnocchi with Tarragon Pea Cream
Spring Ramp Pasta with Morels and Peas
Spring Risotto with Asparagus and Peas
Spring Salmon with Creamed Leeks, Potatoes, and Asparagus
The Brussels Sprout Special (Cauliflower Pizza)
White Pizza with Mushrooms and Arugula Garnish
Soups, Stews, and Chilis
Soups that showcase vegetables are a spotlight for the Spring Equinox. However, if it is still cool at night, there are plenty of suggested soups with ham, cream, and potatoes below to warm your belly.
Acquacotta (Wild Greens and Bread Soup)
Avgolemono Soup (Greek Lemon Chicken Soup)
Beautiful Soup (Vegetable Soup with Beets, Dill, and Orange Zest)
Broccoli and Lemon Soup with Quinoa & Feta
Spring Minestrone with Chicken Meatballs
Salads
Take advantage of spring vegetables when cooking for the Spring Equinox. A huge salad with leafy greens, bean sprouts, radishes, carrots, green onions, edible flowers, seeds, and a lemon vinaigrette would be a fantastic dish during the spring season. Since this time of year is all about growth and planting seeds, consider sprinkling seeds and sprouted greens onto your salads.
Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Asparagus and Spring Onion Salad with Seven-Minute Eggs
Avocado, Grapefruit and Fennel Salad
Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Marinated Chickpeas
Simple Spring Salad with Crunchy Seeded Dressing
Spring Mix Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese
Spring Pea Salad with Mint Vinaigrette
Vegan Pasta Salad with Herbs, Peas, and Pumpkin Seeds
Breads
One of the most traditional breads associated with Spring, though especially the Easter season, are Hot Cross Buns. You may also want to look to the seasonal fruits for bread inspirations as well as the traditional Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick’s Day.
Cheesy Scallion Pull-Apart Rolls
Side Dishes
Sides that feature our spring greens and eggs work well for Spring Equinox celebrations. Consider adding in flavors of the forest, that is, foods that are foraged in nature early in the spring. While you shouldn’t trust mushrooms found in the wild, your local mushroom farmers will likely have morel, porcini, wood ear, oyster mushrooms, and hen-of-the-woods mushrooms in stock in spring. Many edible flowers and herbs make their appearances early in the spring as well, such as chickweed, dandelion, violet, nasturtiums, lilac, lavender, mint, lemon balm, and purple deadnettle. Again: do not attempt to gather your own flowers and mushrooms in your backyard without professional guidance.
Best Creamed Spinach with Cream Cheese: A Recipe for Love & Wealth
Garlic Butter Oyster Mushrooms
Goat Cheese with Edible Flowers and Arugula
Mixed Spring Mushrooms with Garlic Butter and Pine Nuts
Orange-Glazed Carrots with Ramp Barley and Spinach
Spring Vegetable Jumble with Lemon-Tarragon Butter
Steamed Artichokes with Garlic Aioli
World’s Best Spinach Artichoke Dip
Desserts
Desserts include favorites like custard, rice pudding, chocolates, and citrus tarts. As mentioned in the “Side Dishes” section, desserts that call for edible flowers would be an excellent match for Spring Equinox feasts. Lemon is especially favored at the Spring Equinox, as are imported tropical delights like kiwi, pineapple, oranges, and bananas. In some areas Rhubarb is starting to become available as well (though I equate this more with Beltane to enjoy with strawberries).
Almond Fairy Cakes with Candied Borage Flowers
Easter Cupcakes with Coconut and Chocolate
Easter Egg Peanut Butter Candies
Lemon and Lavender Ostara Cake
Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream
Yogurt Sheet Cake with Fruit and Edible Flowers
Beverages
Our first impulse in March may be is raise glass of green beer to the Spring; and while this is certainly a fantastic idea, there are plenty of drinks that celebrate the spirit of Spring. Consider lavender, mint, honey, and lemon as great springboards (pun intended) for your beverages.
Garden Collins (Tom Collins Mocktail)
Green Beer Five Different Ways
Lucky Shamrock Shake with Bailey’s Irish Cream
Rosemary, Lemon Balm & Sage Mulsum (w/ just a touch of Lavender)
Vitamin Parade Mocktail with Carrot, Pineapple, and Egg White