This Spring Vegetable Risotto recipe combines a variety of fresh vegetables in a creamy, lemony, risotto base!
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Spring is finally here! As I get older, I’m finding that Spring and Fall are the seasons I love the most. I don’t care for extremely hot or cold weather anymore.
I started a garden for the first time about 8 or 9 years ago when I lived in Utah. I’ve had a small garden most years since then. I’m a terrible gardener. I start off strong, but after the first few months, I don’t give it as much attention as I should. Thankfully, the vegetables that are ready for harvest in the Spring are some of my favorites! I always have an abundance of peas and lettuce!
To start off this Spring season, I decided to try to recreate a recipe that I had made years ago. It was a risotto recipe that was lemony with some common Spring vegetables mixed in it.
I have a similar recipe for Parmesan Lemon Risotto with Roasted Butternut Squash, that I make in the Fall. So, I decided to take that recipe, make a few modifications, and turn it into a Spring Risotto!
Each bite is bursting with fresh lemon and crisp vegetables! And, even though it’s rice and cheese, it still has a nice, light deliciousness about it!
I keep the recipe really simple by roasting the vegetables while cooking the rice. Once the veggies are in the oven, roll up your sleeve and prepare to stir! Your arm might be a little tired by the time the rice is done to perfection, but I promise, it’s worth it!
Spring Vegetable Risotto
Prep!
Mince the garlic, dice the shallot, and cut the asparagus, squash, and zucchini into bite size pieces. Zest and juice the lemon. Have all of your other ingredients out and ready to go!
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Create!
Place the chopped asparagus, squash, and zucchini on a baking sheet lined with a Silpat mat or aluminum foil. Drizzle on 1 Tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place in the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the rice and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Add the cooking wine and stir until it’s absorbed. Add 1/2 Cup of the vegetable stock and cook until it is also fully absorbed.
Repeat this process, letting each 1/2 Cup fully absorb before adding the next. Continue until the rice is creamy and al dente. You may or may not need the full 4 Cups (I usually use 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 Cups).
Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in the butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese.
Mix in the peas.
You can either mix in the roasted vegetables, or serve them on top of the finished risotto.
Present!
I like to serve this particular Spring Risotto with the roasted vegetables on top with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and/or lemon zest!
Enjoy!
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Spring Vegetable Risotto
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil * divided
- 1 Cup asparagus
- 1 Cup yellow squash
- 1 Cup zucchini
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 shallot
- 1 1/2 Cups arborio rice
- 1/2 Cup white cooking wine
- 4 Cups vegetable stock
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest * basically all of the zest from one lemon
- 1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 Cup peas
- salt and pepper * to taste
Instructions
- Mince the garlic, dice the shallot, and cut the asparagus, squash, and zucchini into bite size pieces. Zest and juice the lemon. Have all of your other ingredients out and ready to go! Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Place the chopped asparagus, squash, and zucchini on a baking sheet lined with a Silpat mat or aluminum foil. Drizzle on 1 Tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the rice and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Add the cooking wine and stir until it’s absorbed. Add 1/2 Cup of the vegetable stock and cook until it is also fully absorbed.
- Repeat this process, letting each 1/2 Cup fully absorb before adding the next. Continue until the rice is creamy and al dente. You may or may not need the full 4 Cups (I usually use 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 Cups).
- Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in the butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese. Mix in the peas and stir until warmed through.
- You can either mix in the roasted vegetables, or serve them on top of the finished risotto. Enjoy!
Sonia says
Oh my goodness!! This looks absolutely amazing… Can’t wait to give it a try.. I have all the ingredients.. yum
Stephanie says
This looks like the perfect bowl of comfort food. I could definitely eat this anytime since it has all my favorite flavors in it. Great recipe.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I do love a good risotto. I enjoyed your step-by-step photos and the risotto is presented so well. Sharing!
Annissa says
This risotto recipe looks so hearty and comforting! Lovely photos too!
Adriana Lopez Martin says
LOve me some risotto, like that it is light and has so many veggies. Those asparaguses add a perfect finish. I’m a fan of that veggie too.