Praise immaturity

Elsewhere in the country, it’s winter. But here, it already feels like April. That means lots of shoots and sprouts at the farmers market. Why eat immature vegetables, you ask? These buds, leaves and tiny stems are packed with nutrients and tenderness. You may find pea shoots, which are the tiny leaves of pea plants that won’t bear their orbs until summer. They’re chock full of folic acid and vitamins A and C. Try them in a salad or as a garnish for risotto. Also look for broccoli sprouts, daikon sprouts, bean sprouts and green garlic.