What is in season in Memphis. and what to order when the market changes.
Spring
- Asparagus: Tennessee asparagus comes in late April and runs through May, sold at the Memphis Farmers Market on South Front.
- Strawberries: West Tennessee strawberries hit Memphis markets in late April. The strawberry cake at Frost Bake Shop is a Mother's Day rite.
- Crawfish: Crawfish boils run April through May at Restaurant Iris and Beale Street parking lots. The peak Memphis weekend is the World BBQ Contest.
- Spring greens: Mustard greens, turnip tops and pea shoots come to the Cooper-Young Saturday market through April and May; Soul Fish and Four Way cook them.
Summer
- Tomatoes: West Tennessee tomatoes come ripe by mid-June and run to September. The Memphis Farmers Market's tomato stalls are the obvious lunch destination.
- Mississippi catfish: Farm-raised Mississippi catfish runs all year but eats best in summer at Soul Fish Cafe in Cooper-Young and the Hollywood Cafe in Robinsonville.
- Sweet corn: Tennessee sweet corn comes in by July, served grilled at backyard BBQs and as a side at Central BBQ and the Bar-B-Q Shop.
Autumn
- Sweet potatoes: Mississippi sweet potatoes come in October and run through winter. The Four Way's candied yams and Frost's sweet potato cake mark the season.
- Persimmons: Native persimmons hit Memphis markets in late October and November. A Southern fruit for puddings and breads.
- Pecans: Mississippi pecans come in November and run into the holidays. Pecan pies show up at La Baguette and Frost from Thanksgiving.
Winter
- Collard greens: Collards run all winter at the Four Way, Alcenia's and Gus's. The greens are best after the first frost when they sweeten.
- Citrus from Florida: Florida citrus arrives in Memphis markets through January and February. Tangerines and grapefruits are the local cocktail bar's winter palette.