Buying fruits and vegetables during their seasonal peaks makes both economical and culinary sense-the produce is usually much more affordable and the taste is so much more enjoyable. It's easy to forget this when supermarkets seemingly provide year-long access to some of your favourite foods. It's convenient, but it comes with a price (both literally and figuratively). Shopping at your local farmer's market makes it even easier; you support your local growers and it takes the guesswork out of knowing what's in season at that very moment. Ultimately, it's wiser to shop the way Mother Nature intended: cherries in the summer, potatoes in the fall and never the twain shall meet! Use our handy list below to make shopping seasonally a much easier task.

SPRING

Asparagus

Recipes to try: Grilled Asparagus Salad, Quick Asparagus Stir-Fry

Rhubarb

Recipes to try: Rhubarb Ice Cream, Strawberry and Rhubarb Tart, Rustic Rhubarb Cake with Roasted Rhubarb

Rutabaga

Recipes to try: Golden Rutabaga Casserole, Rutabaga Souffle

SUMMER

Apricots

Recipes to try: Vanilla Roasted Apricots, Brandied Apricots with Shortcakes, Apricot Marmalade Cake

Blackberries

Recipes to try: Blackberry Frozen Yoghurt, Blackberry Steamed Puddings

Blueberries

Recipes to try: Fresh Blueberry Oat Squares, Blueberry Shortcake with Sour Cream Biscuits and Honeyed Cream

Carrots

Recipes to try: Grilled Honey Tarragon Carrots, Ginger Carrots

Cherries

Recipes to try: Crispy Cherry Blossom, One Step Cherry Pie, Cherry Tarts with Almonds

Cucumber

Recipes to try: Spicy Cucumber Salad, Cucumber Tuna Rolls, Spicy Green Mango and Cucumber Salad

Figs

Recipes to try: Fig and Onion Pizza, Fig Arugula and Proscuitto Rolls

Green Beans

Recipes to try: Garlicky Green Beans, Green Beans in White Wine Sauce, Green Bean Salad

Peaches

Recipes to try: Chardonnay Peach Puff Tart, Peach Upside Down Cake, Peach Crisp

Zucchini

Recipes to try: Zucchini Rosti, Grilled Zucchini and Tomato Gratin, Stuffed Grilled Zucchini

FALL

Apples

Recipes to try: Grandma's Apple Pie, Crunch Apple Beef, Apple Caramel Cakes

Beets

Recipes to try: Grilled Rosemary Beets, Herb Salad with Beets and Beet Chips

Bok Choy

Recipes to try: Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry, Sauteed Bok Choy and Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Recipes to try: Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Lemon Zest, Brussels Sprouts with Orange Brown Butter

Cabbage

Recipes to try: Cabbage Rolls, Stuffed Cabbage with Three Cheeses, Laura Calder's Stuffed Cabbage

Cauliflower

Recipes to try: Grilled Curried Cauliflower, Cauliflower Popcorn

Corn

Recipes to try: Smoked Corn Chowder, Smoked Corn with Spicy Cheese Butter, Creamed Corn with Bacon and Chantrelles

Eggplant

Recipes to try: Stuffed Baby Eggplant Greek Style, Grilled Eggplant Rolls

Grapes

Recipes to try: Vegetable Salad with Grapes, Red and Green Grape Foccacia

Leeks

Recipes to try: Leeks Vinaigrette, Braised Leeks

Melon

Recipes to try: Honey Dew Melon Granita, Prosciutto Wrapped Melon

Pears

Recipe to try: Poached Pears with Gorgonzola, Pear Almond Tart

Peppers

Recipes to try: Maque Choux Peppers, Fast Stuffed Peppers, Peppers Mediterranean

Plums

Recipes to try: Plum Galette with Streusel Topping, Plum Baby Cakes, Walnut Plum Mini-Pies

Potatoes

Recipes to try: Indian Spiced Potatoes, Roasted Garlic Onion Potatoes, Rustic Smashed Potatoes

Spinach

Recipes to try: Creamed Spinach, Warm Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Spinach Gratin with Baked Eggs and Parmigiano

Tomatoes

Recipes to try: Roasted Tomatoes, Crispy Tomatoes Provencal

WINTER

Onions

Recipes to try: Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes, Beer-Battered Onion Rings

Parsnips

Recipes to try: Parsnips with Moroccan Spices, Roasted Parsnips and Carrots with Sesame-Cider Dip