Last updated on February 13th, 2025
March brings a transition from winter to spring in Italy, offering a mix of fresh produce. It’s the perfect month for both hearty winter dishes and lighter spring meals.
In March in Italy, we finally see a bit more color with strawberries, the very first peas, spring onions and even a bunch or two of asparagus if we’re lucky.
I’ve been living in Italy since 2012, cooking with the seasons, and I’ve shopped for March produce each spring. In this article, I’ll help you navigate the variety of fruits and veggies that are in season in Italy in March.
So whether you’re eating out, doing a bit of cooking at your rental, or visiting friends, be sure to eat and order some of these seasonal fruits and vegetables marzo (March)!
Good To Know: This list is quite short because March isn’t very abundant in terms of produce in Italy. February and April tend to be better growing months while March is a transition month for farmers.
Jump to Section
Vegetables To Eat In March In Italy
March is when the weather starts to warm up a bit and we get quite a bit of rain. This also finally brings some new color to our tables as winter staples fade out and we start to see new spring vegetables crop up.
Asparagus (Asparagi)
Depending on the year (and how warm it has been), we may get the first asparagus in Italy in March. It’s a popular vegetable used to make risotto in Veneto and Lombardy. If you can track down the white variety they are quite special!
Artichokes (Carciofi)
Artichokes are about to go out of season so if you love them, be sure to enjoy them now! You can still find them easily in southern regions, especially in Rome where they love to fry them or serve them poached in olive oil.
Cabbage (Cavoli)
Cabbage, just like artichokes, are about to go out of season, including kale and swiss chard. You will still see the produce aisle stocked well but come April, it will be warm enough to stock other vegetables and these hearty winter greens will take a back seat.
Broccoli
Yet another vegetable that you won’t typically see in Italy after March. It may be more accessible in southern Italy where it’s used more but not necessarily.
Peas (Piselli)
Peas will soon crop up at the end of March in Italy. They are tender and sweet and don’t last long so the moment you see them on a menu or at stores, pick them up. Keep in mind that in Italy they come fresh in their shells so be prepared to roll up your sleeves!
Make It: Try my Italian Peas With Bacon Recipe.
Tropea Onions (Cipolle di Tropea)
March is when we finally get spring onions. Tropea onions from southern Italy are particularly good raw. Tender and sweet, they are great for garnishing, adding to salads, frying or for general soffritti.
Fennel (Finocchio)
Fennel is also coming to an end in March. You can find it in April and May but it’s really not the natural season for this Italian vegetable to grow. The bulbs will be smaller and taller, which is not what you want (the best fennel bulbs are wider and shorter with a rounder shape).
Fennel is likely to be in any minestrone recipe you make or order at a restaurant in Italy.
Carrots (Carote)
Carrots are a vegetable in Italy you always find in stock. They are the base for so many famous Italian dishes (what we call a soffritto), making it one of Italy’s most used vegetables in everyday cooking.
Beets (Barbabietole)
Beets are still in season in Italy in March. They aren’t as popular as some other leafy greens such as kale and swiss chard so you won’t find them everywhere or at every market vendor. Beet gnocchi are my favorite way to enjoy them.
Fruits To Eat In Italy In March
The fruit available in March in Italy is exactly the same as what you will see in February except for the addition of strawberries.
Shopping Tip: I suggest buying fruits and veggies at open air markets rather than grocery stores. To learn about my favorite markets and for help on navigating them, check out
5 Food Markets In Florence
Top Markets In Tuscany
Incredible Food Markets In Italy
Shopping at the Rialto Market in Venice
How To Shop At Markets In Italy
Strawberries (Fragole)
Finally! We are seeing some new fruit! We all look forward to when the stores line their shelves with boxes and boxes of strawberries. The first ones we see usually come from Spain so always check the location of origin. After that, they are usually from Calabria.
One of the best ways to eat strawberries in Italy is with real Italian pastry cream.
Apples (Mele)
Apples are abundant throughout March in Italy but they honestly aren’t at their best. The selection of fruit isn’t vast at this time of year but they do hold up well to traveling, making them an ideal snack to keep handy on long travel days.
Pears (Pere)
Pears are a fruit that you can find 12 months a year in Italy. They aren’t quite as good as they are in the fall but there isn’t much choice and pere williams tend to taste better than any apple you will come across at this time of year.
Citrus (Agrumi)
All citrus is still in season in March although this is when it starts to die back and the season ends. Before the end of the month, get your last Italian lemons, oranges, grapefruits and clementines!
Kiwi
Kiwis are about to go out of season in March so get them before they’re gone.
Curious to know more about Italy’s seasonal foods, dishes, and produce? Check out
Foods to Eat in Italy by Month in January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December and by Season in Spring – Summer – Fall – Winter.
Italian Fruits and Vegetables in Season in January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December.
Italian Nuts
