A failed sumac harvest and a disappointing mushroom hunt eventually led me to an unexpected consolation prize: yam berries. Chinese yam may be an invasive plant, but its little bulbils are surprisingly useful in the kitchen. This time, I decided to turn them into a yam berry hummus, paired with one of my favorite Greek chicken dishes and some fresh cucumbers from the garden.

A volunteer muscadine vine in my garden inspired me to try dawali, a traditional Palestinian dish made with stuffed grape leaves. Filled with rice, ground beef, and aromatic 7 spice seasoning, these tender rolls deliver a flavor unlike anything I've tasted before. If you're looking for a unique way to use grape leaves from your backyard, this recipe is a great place to start.

Pork and poke stir fry is a quick, flavorful spring meal that combines tender pork, fresh garden vegetables, and traditional Southern poke weed. This easy stir fry recipe is healthy, customizable, and perfect for using seasonal ingredients while making the most of the short poke sallet season in North Alabama.