30 Delicious Things To Cook In April

    Time to ramp things up.

    Christine Byrne
    by Christine Byrne

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Amalia Van Bloom / smashingmagazine.com

    WHAT'S IN SEASON:

    (This will vary depending on the time of the month and where you live).

    Artichokes

    Asparagus

    Beans

    Beets

    Chicory

    Chives

    Dandelion greens

    Fava Beans

    Fennel

    Fiddlehead Fern

    Horseradish

    Leeks

    Lettuce

    Limes

    Morel Mushrooms

    Oranges

    Papayas

    Peas

    Radishes

    Ramps

    Rhubarb

    Shallots

    Strawberries

    Sunchokes (Jerusalem Artichokes)

    Sweet Onions

    Watercress

    1. Chocolate Cupcakes with Fresh Mint Buttercream

    Ashley Rodriguez / notwithoutsalt.com

    Recipe here.

    2. Pea, Asparagus, and Fava Bean Salad

    Hirsheimer Hamilton / bonappetit.com

    Fava beans are worth the work, trust me. Recipe here.

    3. Shrimp in Achiote Oil

    Matt Duckor / bonappetit.com

    Word to the wise: add shrimp to your weeknight dinner rotation. It's quick, versatile, and tough to screw up. Recipe here.

    4. Banana, Pecan, Coconut and Chocolate Chip Blondies

    Izy Hossack / topwithcinnamon.com

    Recipe here.

    5. Braised Leeks and Muscovado Lentils

    Hugh Forte / sproutedkitchen.com

    Recipe here.

    6. Morel and Asparagus Spaghetti

    Yossy Arefi / saveur.com

    If you're lucky enough to find morels at the farmer's market, brace yourself for a little bit of sticker shock. Then, take a deep breath, remind yourself that a little goes a long way, and go for it. Recipe here.

    7. Pea Tendril and Pistachio Pesto

    Jeanine Donofrio / loveandlemons.com

    It sounds fussy, but really all you need to do is throw everything in a food processor. Recipe here.

    8. Beer Battered Fish Tacos with Margarita Mango Salsa with Jalepeño Crema

    Jessica Merchant / howsweeteats.com

    Recipe here.

    9. Pizza with Za’atar, Preserved Lemons and Ricotta

    Alexandra Stafford / alexandracooks.com

    If you remembered to make preserved lemons this winter, your foresight is about to really pay off. Recipe here.

    10. Citrus Fennel Salad

    Marta Potoczek / lazysundaycooking.com

    Recipe here.

    11. Roasted Potato Galette with Cheddar and Chives

    Joy Wilson / joythebaker.com

    Recipe here.

    12. Ramp Butter

    Matt Duckor / bonappetit.com

    If you've never tasted a ramp, that's probably because they're only in season for few elusive weeks each spring, and chefs tend to snatch them up before they get to market. If you do get your hands on some, this is a great way to preserve them and make their sharp, sweet, garlicky flavor last a little bit longer. Recipe here.

    13. Snickers Semifreddo Cake

    Naomi Robinson /bakersroyale.com
    Naomi Robinson / bakersroyale.com

    Recipe here.

    14. Giant Lemon Fennel Beans

    Heidi Swanson / 101cookbooks.com

    Recipe here.

    15. Jerusalem Artichoke Gnocchi with Sautéed Kale

    Elizabeth Stark / brooklynsupper.net

    Recipe here.

    16. Mini Strawberry Shortcakes with Whipped Cream

    edibleperspective.com

    Recipe here.

    17. Spring Ham Steaks with Sweet Pea Leek Pan Sauce

    Christina Holmes / foodandwine.com

    Easter dinner, anyone? Recipe here.

    18. Artichoke Gratinata

    Meg / beardandbonnet.com

    Recipe here.

    19. Rhubarb Upside Down Cake

    Todd Coleman / saveur.com

    Upside down cake = what to bake if you hate baking. Recipe here.

    20. Pretzel-Crusted Pork Schnitzel

    Marcus Nilsson / bonappetit.com

    Because, it isn't bathing suit season yet. Recipe here.

    21. Open Omelet with Morcilla Sausage, Pancetta, and Fennel-Apple Salad

    Emily Bartlett / heytucker.com

    Recipe here.

    22. Greek Steak Salad French Bread with Soft-Boiled Eggs and Feta

    Tieghan / halfbakedharvest.com

    There are two really great things about this salad. 1) Steak. 2) It's actually a sandwich. Recipe here.

    23. Vegan Green Chili Mac & Cheese

    minimalistbaker.com

    Vegans: this cashew sauce will make your dreams come true. Recipe here.

    24. Salade Niçoise

    Todd Coleman / saveur.com

    Recipe here.

    25. Papaya Bars

    Adrianna Adarme / acozykitchen.com

    Sometimes, life doesn't give you lemons. Recipe here.

    26. Rhubarb Fennel Fizz

    Kimberly Hasselbrink / theyearinfood.com

    Don't overthink it. Recipe here.

    27. Ramp Pizza

    Deb Perelman / smittenkitchen.com

    Recipe here.

    28. Spring Pea and Fava Bean Guacamole with Root Chips

    whatscookinggoodlooking.com

    Recipe here.

    29. Strawberry Basil Hand Pies

    Elizabeth Stark / brooklynsupper.net

    Perfection is for fools. Recipe here.

    30. Chartreuse Smash

    Maime Iatonni / saveur.com

    Bottoms up. Recipe here.