Ah, MDW. The unofficial/official kickoff to summer is *finally* here! Grab your favorite eats and grilling treats, and raise a flag to freedom.

The season of grilling is upon us. Get ready with proteins for putting on the barbie and the buns that make them complete.

Peach season is here AND it coincides with grilling season (go summer!). You may have guessed where we're going here -- that's right, don't roast it - toss it on the grill. The peach's trademark sweetness will become more pronounced + it will melt in your mouth. Like candy!

Move over, meat, and make room for some fruit & veggies on the grill. Ready in minutes, these are easy to throw on the flame. The best part? It's simple to tell when they're ready - just look for the char marks. We know what we'll be throwing on the grill and onto a skewer this week!

The most easy-drinking brews of the season have arrived just in time for Memorial Day. Grab one and some of these summer favorites because it's time to kick back and chillax.

These hearty, homestyle entrées, veggies, and soups from Restaurant Associates Kitchen are more than just a great, fully-prepped meal option. For every meal purchased, Restaurant Associates and FreshDirect will donate a pantry meal to a family in need through NY Common Pantry.

We're proud to partner with NY Common Pantry, whose mission is to reduce hunger and promote dignity, health, and self-sufficiency. The recent concern over coronavirus has impacted NYCP's volunteer base and this important organization's ability to serve some of NYC's most vulnerable communities. FreshDirect is standing with NYCP by assisting with the packing and provision of meals for our neighbors in need. We encourage you to join us by adding a donation to your order in one of the amounts below.

One of the easiest and most delicious ways to enjoy soft shell crabs is in a sandwich. Here's how it's done: soak soft-shell crabs in milk for 10 minutes, then pat dry, season, and dredge in cornmeal or flour. Cook in a pan with oil until browned and crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Serve on a brioche bun with blanched ramps, spicy mayo, and lettuce. Get the full recipe on the FreshDirect blog.

Whether you're firing up the grill or just relaxing on the deck, every summer moment can be made a little (or a lot) better with the perfect wine pairing for the occasion. Get started with these bottles that will take you from Memorial Day to beyond.

And it's so simple to make, too! Just beat 8 oz (2 sticks) room temp butter by hand or in a mixer until smooth and slightly fluffy. Blend in 4 oz minced ramps. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper. Place in a mold, if desired, and chill. Spread it on toast, steak, fish, corn, raw veggies... look, it's butter + ramps, so it tastes good on just about anything.

The secret to making your own crudite platter is here in just a few taps - just add veggies like cut carrots, celery, broccoli florets, bell peppers, and more with your favorite dips. You can go classic hummus or ranch, or kick things up a notch with baba ghanouj or green goddess dressing!

The days are getting longer, Spring's here and we're so ready to let go of 30 degree weather. Indulge in an extra bit of sweetness while you relish in uber warm weather this weekend.

Vegetarian? Gluten-free? We've got options for everyone who wants to get their burger on. From plant-based patties to buns without wheat, check out these items that'll keep everyone at your cookout happy.

Simple to impress, niçoise salads are even simpler to make! Season salmon or tuna and quickly sear in a hot frying pan for approx. 3 minutes on each side. Let cool and flake into chunks. Boil fingerling potatoes and green beans until tender, then slice up hard-boiled eggs. Toss everything together with lettuce, olives, and a simple dressing (EVOO, lemon juice, dijon mustard + salt will do!). Bon appétit!

For a delicious refreshment, muddle 4-5 blackberries in a glass, add 1/2 oz of fresh-squeezed lemon juice and stir together. Add ice to the glass followed by 2 oz gin. Top with seltzer and stir. Enjoy the sweet and tart taste, or add simple syrup for something sweeter!

Next time you're making a dip for snacking or a crudite board, try adding some veg for extra flavor + color. Like beets + yogurt (pink!) or greens + herbs with tahini. One of the best ways to get started with dip experimentation is by trying out our farm share box, which has a mix of seasonal produce that's made for getting creative.

Check out our food bundles that get you everything you need in a single click, plus more great basics for a well-stocked fridge and pantry.

From waffles to pancakes, top your delicious bites with a berry of your choice for a sweet and tart burst!

Flowers. Warm temps. Is there anything better than spring in NYC? Yes--the arrival of spring veggies. Every year, we count the days until we can again put these beauties on the feed and use them in our favorite recipes. Spring's tender veg shine in every kind of preparation--roasting, frying, steaming, baking.

This dinner recipe has so much flavor, all from a few cupboard staples: Cook 1 package pasta until al dente, reserving some cooking water. Tear a few kale leaves into large pieces; blanch in boiling water. Chop half an onion and sauté in 2 tbsp olive oil. Once soft, stir in 1 clove minced garlic. Fold in 1 tin sardines or tuna or 2 tins squid (including oil). Stir in a splash of pasta water, then add pasta, followed by juice and zest from 1 lemon, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, and kale. Add more pasta water as needed to loosely coat. Season to taste.

Take some leafy greens, add a deli salad on top (like chicken salad or our roast tofu with squash + kale) + voila: your midday meal is ready to go.