Culinaria Kitchen, S1E4: Fresh Picks with Trever Butler of The Desert Spoon

Chef Tatu Herrera and SA Living's Michaela Romero chat about the produce grown at Spring Creek Gardens.

Now airing monthly on SA Living, the newly launched Culinaria Kitchen is your invitation into the world of chef-inspired cooking. Each episode highlights professional techniques, thoughtful tips, and culinary insights designed to help viewers savor the craft of cooking from the comfort of home.

Following The Desert Spoon Chef Tatu Herrera’s recent appearance on Culinaria Kitchen, we’re continuing the conversation with another trusted voice from that team: co-owner Trever Butler. With a deep appreciation for fresh, seasonal ingredients and the local growers who make San Antonio’s food scene so vibrant, Desert Spoon co-owner— and head horticulturist of neighboring property Spring Creek Gardens—Trever brings a wealth of knowledge that starts well before the first chop or sauté.

In this companion blog, Trever shares practical, confidence-building advice on how to choose fruits and vegetables at their best, what to look for when shopping at the grocery store or market, and what’s currently in season. Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner or simply trying to cook a little more intentionally, her tips make it easier to bring home produce that’s flavorful, fresh, and ready to shine.

The best meals begin with the best ingredients, and knowing how to shop seasonally, spot peak ripeness, and choose produce with confidence is one of the most valuable kitchen skills a home cook can learn. Consider this your behind-the-scenes guide to produce selection like a pro, Desert Spoon–style.

Trever Butler tends to the main culinary garden at Spring Creek Gardens.

Q. What produce is in season right now that shoppers should absolutely be

grabbing? 

A. Root vegetables ( beets, carrots, radishes) and hearty greens (kale, mustard greens, collards) are in their prime this time of year, as well as cabbage, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. The Texas Farmer's Market has a great resource for everything you can find in season month by month at a quick glance. 

Q. How does buying in-season produce change flavor, price, or quality compared to

out-of-season items?  

A. When you purchase in-season produce, you're buying produce with superior flavor, nutritional value, and (bonus) a lower price. Produce that is in season in your area is more likely to have traveled a shorter distance from farm to store, meaning the produce is able to be harvested in its prime. Most of the time out of season produce will be picked early since it has a longer way to travel, which can lessen not only the flavor and freshness but also the nutrient density all while coming at a higher cost due to the transport time. When I'm in the grocery store, I'll look for produce that's from Texas and the local area. 

Q. How far ahead do you recommend planning when buying fresh produce —

especially for busy home cooks? 

A. I usually plan just for the week! I like to prioritize what is leftover from the week before to make sure everything gets used.

Q. Are there any items you always suggest buying organic, and others where

conventional is just fine?

A. I always recommend following the Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen* guidelines. If you don't want to commit the list to memory, think about eating the skin versus peeling it off. If you typically eat the skin of the produce, you should buy organic; if you peel your produce, then nonorganic is a safe bet.

*The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen are annual lists that highlight which fruits and vegetables tend to have the highest pesticide residues (the Dirty Dozen) and which are typically the lowest (the Clean Fifteen), helping shoppers decide when buying organic may matter most.

Q. If someone wants to cook more seasonally but feels overwhelmed, where’s the

best place to start?  

A. I would suggest starting with a favorite meal or recipe and challenge yourself to replace or modify just one thing at a time to be within season, then build to a fully seasonal and local meal. 

Q. If readers/viewers remember just one thing the next time they’re in the produce

aisle, what should it be?

A. Shop as local as you can, but don't stress about it! Keep cooking fun!