Spotlight: What Grows Best in the Northeast

The Northeast has a short, intense growing season and a deep farming tradition, which makes for some of the most rewarding seasonal eating in the country. Here's what the region is known for and when it's at its best.

Spring As the ground thaws, look for asparagus, ramps, fiddleheads, rhubarb, and tender greens. This is also maple season's tail end — local syrup is a Northeast signature worth stocking up on.

Summer Sweet corn is the star, alongside tomatoes, blueberries, peaches, zucchini, and green beans. Coastal areas add fresh shellfish to the mix. It's the season of farm stands and overflowing baskets.

Autumn The Northeast is famous for its apples — dozens of varieties, plus cider and pears. Add pumpkins, winter squash, Brussels sprouts, cranberries, and potatoes for classic fall cooking.

Winter Storage crops and hardy greens carry the cold months: cabbage, carrots, beets, onions, and kale, plus root-cellar apples and preserved goods from the harvest.

Make the most of it - Buy apples and squash in autumn — they store for weeks and get you through winter. - Freeze summer berries and corn at their peak. - Support the short season generously; Northeast farmers pack a year of flavor into a few busy months.

Wherever you are in the region, shopping local means eating in step with one of America's great farming landscapes.