Spring is just around the corner, and I’m already looking forward to the lighter, brighter days — roll on 29 March when the clocks go forward! It can still be chilly, though, which makes March a bit of a tricky in‑between month. The days stretch a little longer, the light feels different, and suddenly I’m craving food that still comforts but hints at the freshness ahead.

This month brings some of my favourite early‑spring ingredients back into season: purple sprouting broccoli, rhubarb, leeks, and the first tender herbs. They’re perfect for adding colour and lift to familiar dishes, whether you’re roasting, batch‑cooking, or planning a Mother’s Day brunch.

🌱 March in the UK is a delicious turning point — winter’s roots are still with us, but spring’s first shoots are peeking through. Here’s a roundup of the ingredients that really shine this month:

🥕 Vegetables

• Root veg: Parsnips, carrots, beetroot, swedes, celeriac
• Brassicas: Kale, spring greens, purple sprouting broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower
• Others: Leeks, chicory, chard, radishes, wild garlic (early season), watercress

🍎 Fruits

• British-grown: Forced rhubarb (especially from Yorkshire), stored apples and pears
• Imported seasonal stars: Blood oranges, passion fruit, clementines

🍲 Hearty Mains

• Slow-cooked beef shin with wild garlic and quinoa – rich and warming with a touch of spring
• Barbecued leg of spring lamb – cured with herbs and spices, perfect for early Easter gatherings
• Pork belly with apple purée and purple sprouting broccoli – indulgent and deeply British

🥣 Soups & Starters

• Spring onion soup with green oil – light and vibrant
• Spinach, leek and pea soup – wholesome and soothing
• Cockle and mussel chowder with spring onions – briny and comforting

🥗 Lighter Dishes

• Purple sprouting broccoli with hazelnuts – simple, seasonal, and perfect as a side or veggie main
• Wild garlic and sausage fusilli – fresh and punchy pasta dish
• Chicory and preserved lemon salad – crisp and zesty with a bitter edge

🍰 Desserts & Bakes

• Rhubarb and custard tart – a British classic with poached rhubarb and creamy custard
• Blood orange loaf cake with poppy seeds – citrusy and vibrant
• Apple and rhubarb crumble – nostalgic and warming, ideal with custard

🎉 Celebrations & Key Events this month

• British Pie Week (2–8 March 2026)
  A whole week dedicated to celebrating one of the UK’s most iconic comfort foods. First launched in 2007 by pastry brand Jus‑Rol, it now marks the first full week of March every year. Research into the nation’s favourites shows we’re still loyal to the classics — think steak & ale, steak & potato, cottage pie, chicken & mushroom, and a good old-fashioned apple pie.
• Mother’s Day in the UK (Sunday 15 March 2026)
  Mother’s Day in the UK always falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, so the date shifts each year. This year it lands on 15 March — the perfect excuse for a cosy brunch or a bit of home‑baked indulgence.

🌸Brunch ideas: pancakes, muffins, savoury bakes, and easy crowd‑pleasers that work for the whole family.

If you’re planning something sweet, a homemade bake always feels extra thoughtful. A few lovely options:

• Strawberry drip cake
• Shortbread biscuits shaped as delicate pink hearts or flowers
• Buttercream floral cupcakes

I hope this month’s recipes and ideas bring a little comfort and colour to your kitchen. See you next month for more seasonal favourites and new things to cook.