What is in season in Cincinnati. and what to order when the market changes.

Spring

  • Ramps: Wild Appalachian ramps surface in late March through May at Findlay Market and from the Madisonville and Hyde Park farmers markets.
  • Morels: Yellow and black morel mushrooms appear in southern Ohio woods through April and May, sold by foragers at Findlay Market's outdoor vendors.
  • Asparagus: Local Ohio asparagus runs late April through early June, peaking at Hyde Park's Sunday market and on every brunch menu in OTR.

Summer

  • Ohio sweet corn: Ohio is a top-ten sweet corn producer. The August peak runs from local farms to Findlay Market vendors and shows up at every cookout in the city.
  • Heirloom tomatoes: August through September is tomato season at Madisonville, Northside and Hyde Park farmers markets, with the late summer Cherokee Purple and Brandywine peak.
  • Peaches: Southwest Ohio peaches arrive late June through early August. Burwinkel Farms in Ross and Werner Orchards run the local pick-your-own circuit.
  • Blueberries: Ohio blueberries run June and July at local U-pick farms and farmers markets, used in Sleepy Bee pancakes and Holtman's donut glazes.

Autumn

  • Apples and cider: Ohio apples run mid-August through November. Burwinkel Farms in Ross, Iron's Fruit Farm in Lebanon and A&M Farm Orchard in Midland are the local U-pick anchors.
  • Pawpaws: Pawpaws are Ohio's native tropical-flavored fruit, ripening September. The Ohio Pawpaw Festival in Albany draws Cincinnati food-curious crowds in mid-September.
  • Pumpkins and squash: October pumpkin and winter-squash harvest runs every farmers market. Butternut and acorn squash anchor fall menus at the Pleasantry, Salazar and brunch rooms across the city.

Winter

  • Cincinnati chili: The signature dish peaks in cold weather. Camp Washington Chili, Skyline and Gold Star run year-round but the December and January 5-way is the canon.
  • Goetta: The pork-and-pinhead-oats breakfast porridge is a winter comfort food, sliced and pan-fried golden alongside eggs at Sugar n' Spice and Sleepy Bee all winter.
  • Country ham and bourbon: Northern Kentucky country hams from Brown's, Finchville and Newsom's appear on Cincinnati holiday tables alongside Kentucky bourbon flights at Sundry and Vice.
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