The Taste of Spring

A new book from a Missouri food writer showcases a spring staple.

Seasonal allergies notwithstanding, early spring must be one of the most special times of year here in Missouri. It begins with the blooming of the Bradford pear flowers. These invasive ornamental trees probably ought to be culled because of their unpleasant aroma alone, but there is something undeniably charming about the thrum of honeybees swarming in their branches on a warm afternoon in March. Shortly after come the serviceberries, magnolias, and eastern redbuds, and by the time the graceful dogwoods come into bloom, every mile of meandering backroads are a vision of technicolor green.

For author Nina Mukerjee Furstenau, the arrival of spring is best heralded by rhubarb sprouting in the garden. Her adoration of the tart red plant (and its association with springtime) is what inspired her newest book of recipes: The Pocket Rhubarb Cookbook. As she puts it in the book’s introduction, “it tastes like spring.”

This is at least in part because in Missouri the vegetable hits its peak ripeness during the spring in a fairly short window compared with other backyard garden staples such as tomatoes or sweet corn. The fleeting chance to grow and take advantage of it in cookery only adds to its appeal.

The Pocket Rhubarb Cookbook does, in fact, f it in a pocket (your mileage may vary, but if it does, consult your tailor), which also makes it a handy size for use in the kitchen as it doesn’t take up too much countertop space.

As is probably expected in our corner of the world, the pies and cobblers come first here, with 12 recipes to choose from. They range from pairing the rhubarb with fruits such as strawberries and apples to a glacé that feels like it would fit in well on The Great British Bake Off.

Once the book leaves off from these sweeter recipes, readers will discover a myriad of new applications including stew, chutney, a ham glaze, and a number of cocktails.

This reviewer’s culinary horizons were broadened significantly by the experience of exploring this collection of recipes. If you’re feeling similarly inspired by the recipes included here, there is also some practical advice for planting your own crop of rhubarb. Even if you prefer to find recipes from your favorite website or cooking app, a great cookbook will challenge and inspire you with ideas, techniques, and ingredients that you wouldn’t have otherwise considered. The Pocket Rhubarb Cookbook does that in spades.

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This article was originally published in the June 2025 edition of Missouri Life magazine.

View THE POCKET RHUBARB COOKBOOK here.

Image provided by the publisher.