The birds are chirping. The first pitches have been thrown out. But for many of us, spring doesn’t really start until we can taste it.
The top 10 (edible/drinkable) signs that warmer weather is on the horizon:
1.
The sound of elote carts
. It has been so long, I’d almost forgotten about the tell-tale clown-horn honks that are such a familiar sound on my street during the warmer months. I heard that horn for the first time in forever last weekend, and thought to myself, winter is really over — and not a moment too soon.
L.V.
2.
The ice cream shop is open
. The kids are munching on their cones outside — and in flip-flops, no matter the weather.
Linda Bergstrom
3.
Ballpark food
. Yeah, it’s junk, although I had a veggie burger at Wrigley on Opening Day. But nothing says baseball like a hot dog balanced in your lap.
Phil Vettel
4. In my neighborhood, as soon as I see the
street vendors with those umbrella carts
of corn on the cob with red pepper, or those chicharrones de harina (fried wheat flour snacks) in bags, I know it’s spring.
Shamontiel Vaughn
5.
Fresh, wild morels and ramps
at farmers markets.
Carol Mighton Haddix
6.
Outdoor seating
set up in front of restaurants and bars on the sidewalk.
Matt Wood
7. I always think
watercress
is a sign of spring. Is it still?
Bill Daley
8. The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it-on-menus vegetable:
Fiddlehead ferns
lightly sautéed in butter.
Judy Hevrdejs
9. OMG! When the middle schoolers start gathering in the outdoor eating area of
Dips & Dogs in downtown Hinsdale
. The place is open year-round but comes alive only when the tweens can hang outside with their BFFs.
Denise Joyce
10. It won’t be until Memorial Day, but when
Icebox
returns to its rightful place alongside Soupbox in Lakeview, spring will finally be spring for real. Get it half-lemon, half-raspberry. (2943 N. Broadway St.)
Kevin Pang
