When you know how to cook and utilize produce, it’s easy to prepare standout meals. Danielle Majeika, farm-owner and founder of the blog The Perpetual Season, derives complexity of flavor from a harmonious balance of herbs, simple spices, farm-fresh vegetables, and cooking methods in this incredible cookbook.

Danielle goes beyond traditional steamed veggies, utilizing techniques that help bring out unique, vibrant flavors?like roasting fennel and tomatoes with fresh rosemary in a cast iron skillet. Every recipe highlights one or two vegetables that are easy to grow and popular at markets?like leeks, fennel, carrots, and tomatoes. Recipes include Asparagus Vichyssoise for spring, Green Bean Tempura with Lemon Wasabi Mayonnaise for summer, Shaved Kohlrabi Salad with Apple and Sesame for fall, and French Shallot Soup for winter.

Danielle also provides growing and harvesting tips in the chapter intros that gardeners will find useful and non-gardeners will be inspired by. If you want a delectably spicy pepper harvest, for example, withhold water when they reach the point of maturity, as it increases levels of capsicum, and if you want to sweeten the taste of your tomatoes, boost their potassium with wood ash.