Seasonal products from the Münsterland

Whether white, green or purple: Germany simply can't get enough of asparagus. From April to June, the vegetable provides culinary delights. By the way, white asparagus is white because, unlike the other two varieties, it grows underground. Despite the different cultivation methods, the three varieties have a lot in common: asparagus consists mainly of water and is therefore quite low in calories. In addition to secondary plant compounds, the vegetable also contains important trace elements and vitamins.

Tip: To store asparagus unpeeled, wrap it in a damp tea towel and keep it in the vegetable compartment of the fridge. It will keep for three to four days. You want to store it even longer? Then you can freeze it washed and dried (white asparagus also peeled) in a freezer bag.

Fresh and local strawberries really are the tastiest, aren't they? Harvested at optimum ripeness, they usually have a fuller flavour and a higher vitamin content. Picking the sweet fruits is also a great experience. Strawberries are in their peak season in June and July. Depending on the weather, they are sometimes available a few weeks earlier and even after July. You can store them for up to two days, preferably at two to three degrees Celsius.

Tip: Is the strawberry season already over? How fortunate that many farm shops in Münsterland process the fruit into various delicacies. These include strawberry wine and liqueur or strawberry jam.

Summer is berry season! Whether in a smoothie, muesli or dessert - you can't resist the healthy fruits (they contain valuable plant pigments and plenty of vitamin C!). June is the time for berries. From then on you can get delicious blueberries in the Höfläden in the Münsterland. Blackberries and raspberries follow in July at the latest and remain available until September. Here too, if the weather cooperates, you can find the berries in the shops earlier.

Tip: Soft berries such as raspberries and blackberries are very sensitive and do not keep for long. It is best to use these berries immediately. Blueberries, on the other hand, will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week. After the season, you can also get these sweet and sour delicacies in the form of alcoholic drinks, as compote or jam in many farm shops. You can also make your own syrup or raspberry vinegar.

Every year in April, the plum trees in the Oelder district of Stromberg enchant with their white blossoms. At the beginning of September, the "golden blue", as the people of Stromberg affectionately call their product, is harvested. You should always buy the plums fresh and eat them as soon as possible. They do not ripen and should therefore not be too hard and have a beautiful colour typical of the variety.

Tip: The traditional "Stromberg Plum Market" takes place on the second weekend in September. Visit the district and try the fruit as plum pan cake, plum bread, plum sausage, plum ice cream or schnapps.

The pumpkin season starts around August and delights us until winter. However, the pumpkin season is not the same for all varieties. For example, September is harvest time for the Hokkaido pumpkin, followed by the butternut squash in mid-September. Whether as a soup, baked vegetable or in risotto, this nutrient-rich and healthy vegetable is a delicious, low-calorie ingredient for any kitchen. In spring, you can sometimes even get some in stock at the farm shops. The plants can be kept for quite a long time if they are stored properly!

Tip: Many varieties (e.g. Hokkaido or spaghetti squash) can even be eaten with their skin on. Especially when they are made into soups. This often makes the dish even more aromatic.