s a seed grows into a plant, one end becomes the root, and the other becomes the shoot, poking through the earth to develop above ground. With many a relative of celery, parsley, and carrots, is a favorite of foragers; when young and delicate, its stalks can be candied as an old-fashioned treat. One of the first signs of spring is the appearance of oniony, garlicky —pickle them to preserve their pungence beyond their fleeting season. Another common candidate for pickling is juicy, crunchy a glossy and lemony weed that can be found in fields, gardens, and backyards. Like ramps, is a harbinger of the spring; it has been revered since Roman times and makes an appearance in the oldest surviving book of recipes. White spears are the result of blanching, a technique of mounding soil around the spears to block sunlight and limit photosynthesis. Curly , which grow from the bulbs of garlic plants, are milder and creamier than the plant’s pungent cloves. In spite of its name, sharp also known as rapini, is more closely related to the turnip than to broccoli; its bitterness makes it a natural pairing with heavy, rich dishes. are foraged twice yearly in China: Spring shoots are slender and delicate, while winter shoots are stout and covered in hairy fibers. are also a common springtime vegetable in China, often served simply stir-fried and seasoned with sesame oil.
