Seasonal Spring Recipes and Ingredients
Here are some recipes that highlight foods traditionally gathered in the spring, including fiddleheads and dandelions. These ingredients reflect the renewal of the land and offer an opportunity to explore how spring foods support nourishment, new growth, and reconnection after the winter season.

Quail with Fiddlehead and Wild Ramp Sautée Served with a Mixed Berry Glaze
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 quail
- 1 orange, sliced, peel on
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 4 sprigs rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Mixed berry glaze (2 cups mixed berries, puréed, maple syrup)
- 1 package of fiddleheads
- 1 package of wild ramps, chopped
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (use available varieties)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
- Place a sprig of rosemary and 1 slice of orange into the cavity of each quail.
- Brush with butter, season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven; brush with mixed berry glaze.
- Return to the oven for 3–5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven; let rest for 10 minutes.
- Place 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan, medium heat.
- Add mushrooms and red pepper to the pan; sautée for approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the fiddleheads and continue to sautée for another 4 minutes.
- Add the wild ramps and continue for 1 minute.
- Place 1 cup of fiddlehead sauté in the center of the plate.
- Place 1/2 of the quail on top of the fiddlehead sautée.
- Drizzle glaze over and around the quail. Serve.
Dandelion Cookies
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup of salted butter (1 Stick)
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 3/4 cup dandelion petals (loosely packed and washed)
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
Directions
- Make a log with dough and place in fridge for 2 hours.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Dandelion Tea for Liver Detox and Digestion Support
Ingredients
- 1 gallon water
- Pick and wash and dry 3 cups of dandelion leaves or roots
- Add honey for sweetness after 10 minute boil 10 minute simmer
Directions
- Dry and steep dandelions in hot water for 10-15 minutes.
- Drink daily to cleanse the liver, support digestion, and boost immunity.
Dandelion Tincture for Liver and Kidney Health, or Hormone Balance
Ingredients
- Dandelion plants or roots
- Vodka or apple cider vinegar
Directions
- Roots or Whole Plant: Chop and cover with vodka or apple cider vinegar in a jar.
- Store in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking occasionally.
- Take 1-2 dropperfuls per day for detox and hormone balance.
Dandelion Infused Oil for Skin and Joint Health
Ingredients
- Dandelion flowers
- Olive oil or coconut oil
Directions
- Dry and infuse in olive oil or coconut oil for 2-4 weeks.
- Apply to sore joints, eczema, or irritated skin.
Dandelion Honey for Sore Throat and Cough Relief
Ingredients
- Flowers
- Raw honey
Directions
- Cover fresh petals with raw honey and let sit for 1-2 weeks.
- Take a spoonful for sore throats, colds, or add to tea.
Dandelion Vinegar for Mineral Boost and Digestion Aid
Ingredients
- Dandelion Leaves and Flowers
- Apple cider vinegar
Directions
- Infuse in apple cider vinegar for 4 weeks.
- Take a teaspoon before meals.
Milkweed Sautée
Ingredients
- Milkweed plants
- Butter
- Preferred seasoning
Directions
- Find the milk weed and strip the baby leaves off of it.
- Bring it to the house wash and rinse.
- Put seasoning and butter on fry in a pan and serve to eat.
Natural Pest Deterrant
Ingredients
- May flower
- Water
- Bucket or jar
Directions
- Boil may flowers into a tea and then cool.
- Soak plants for no more than 24 hours before planting.
- Use boiled plants to throw in garden keep pests away.







