What is in season in Philadelphia. and what to order when the market changes.
Spring
- Ramps: Foraged Pennsylvania ramps from the Poconos and Lancaster land at Reading Terminal stalls and Vernick and Vetri kitchens through April.
- Asparagus: Local-grown New Jersey asparagus at Headhouse Square and Rittenhouse farmers markets through May and early June.
- Shad and shad roe: Delaware River shad season runs April; tasting menus at Vetri Cucina and Friday Saturday Sunday rotate shad roe in spring.
- Strawberries: Lancaster County strawberries land at Headhouse Square and Italian Market stalls through late May and early June.
Summer
- Jersey tomatoes: South Jersey beefsteak tomatoes peak July to mid-September at the Italian Market and Headhouse Square stalls.
- Soft-shell crabs: Chesapeake Bay soft-shell crab season runs May to August; Royal Sushi, Vernick and Friday Saturday Sunday rotate them onto menus.
- Water ice season: Pop's Homemade Italian Ice on Oregon and John's Water Ice on Christian open April and run through Labor Day.
- Jersey corn: Sweet Jersey corn at the Italian Market and Reading Terminal stalls peaks August and runs to first frost.
Autumn
- Apples and apple cider: Adams County and Lancaster apples at Headhouse Square from late September; cider doughnuts at Beiler's run October through November.
- Pumpkin and squash: Pennsylvania-grown butternut, kabocha and Long Island Cheese pumpkins fill Italian Market produce stalls from late September.
- Concord grapes: Late-September Concord grape pies appear at Bredenbeck's Bakery on Germantown Avenue and a handful of Italian Market counters.
- Chestnut Hill mushrooms: Kennett Square chanterelles, hen of the woods and shiitake at Reading Terminal stalls and West Loop tasting menus.
Winter
- Oysters: Chesapeake and Long Island oyster service peaks November to February at Oyster House on Sansom and Lacroix at the Rittenhouse.
- Scrapple: Habbersett and Rapa scrapple at Reading Terminal Market and South Philly breakfast counters peak November through February.
- Pepper pot soup: Olde City Coffee at Reading Terminal and a handful of South Philly counters run the historic tripe-and-pepper soup November through February.
- Pennsylvania Dutch pies: Shoofly, mincemeat, sweet potato and pumpkin pies at Beiler's, Dutch Eating Place and Lancaster County counters through Christmas.