This side dish from Andrea Reusing’s Cooking in the Moment: A Year of Seasonal Recipes (Clarkson Potter, 2011) is the essence of summer: emerald green vegetables cooked together briefly, until their flavors just meld. See the recipe for Fresh Peas with Lettuce and Green Garlic »

The secret to making these pillow-soft gnocchi (from Boston’s Sportello) is to knead the dough as little as possible; if it’s overworked, the gnocchi become gluey and tough.

Brown Butter, Peas, and Mint Omelette

Braising carrots slowly in butter, rather than steaming or boiling them, brings out their natural sweetness. Maple syrup adds a delicate glaze and a rich flavor.

Carrots are roasted with rosemary and garlic until tender and slightly caramelized before being puréed with cannelini beans and coriander to make a vibrant, sweet, and earthy dip for raw veggies or pita chips.

This version of the cake is a potluck and bake sale favorite; the addition of crushed pineapple helps to keep it sweet and moist. Get the recipe for Classic Carrot Cake »

Shredded carrots turn soft and sweet in this cardamom-spiced rice pudding.

Surprisingly airy and light, this cake could have been a souffle in a previous life. Naturally gluten-free, the batter gets its lift from egg whites, its rich stability from walnut flour, and its moistness from grated carrot and pineapple. Swathed in velvety cream cheese frosting and a cloud of sweet white coconut, this version of the classic was developed for us by Judy Haubert. Get the recipe for Walnut Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting