Spring Shopping Checklist 2017
Our lineup takes you from the bakery to the farmers’ market to the bar for this season’s highlights.
VANILLA KEFIR
Kefir is a yogurt-like drink that’s just a tad bubbly, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as the “champagne of dairy.” Wholesome Dairy in York, PA, starts theirs with whole milk from grass-fed Ayrshire cows, adds a selection of microbial and bacterial cultures and lets the mixture incubate for 18 hours.
Available at Essene Market, Kimberton Whole Foods stores and Whole Foods on Callowhill
PEA SHOOTS
These delicate leaves with curly tendrils are packed with sweet pea flavor, and they show up at farmers’ markets much earlier than the mature vegetable. Toss the pea shoots into salads, lightly sauté them in a stir fry, or use them to garnish a spring mushroom soup. Look for them at farmers’ markets as early as March.
AGUA FRESCA
Don’t let the drinks fly under the radar at South Philly Barbacoa. The aguas frescas—a blend of fresh fruit, water and sometimes sugar or herbs—rotate seasonally (sometimes daily). Flavors like prickly pear, tamarind and watermelon are especially refreshing alongside a platter of tacos.
South Philly Barbacoa
1703 S. 11th St.
215.360.5282
2SP DELCO LAGER
Delco Lager, from local beer makers 2SP, is refreshing and all too easy to drink. Keep it in mind for cookouts and tailgates as the weather warms. You can find it at bottle shops and bars around the city, but head to 2SP’s tasting room in Aston to try exclusives like the sweet-hoppy
Bellcracker Double IPA
120 Concord Rd. in Aston,
484.483.7860
THREE SPRINGS PEACHES
Canned peaches may get a bad rap, but these golden halves are just sweet enough to satisfy that fruit craving until summer comes. Three Springs owner Ben Wenk recommends making peach sorbet: Just drain half the syrup and put the whole can in the freezer, buzzing the contents with an immersion blender occasionally as it hardens. (Add a little bourbon for a boozy treat.)
Available at the Fair Food Farmstand in Reading Terminal Market and at Green Aisle Grocery locations.
SMOKED SALMON AND DILL SPREAD
Metropolitan Bakery’s accouterments are just as good as the bread we know (and love) them for. Try the house made salmon dill cream cheese for a bright and herb-y bagel topper. It’s on the menu at the café, and you can pick up a container to take home at the Rittenhouse location.
Metropolitan Bakery
262 S. 19th St.
215.545.6655,
