It seems every time I try, some (aptly named) freak Arctic weather pattern comes roaring through and I am left pulling my furry-hooded coat from storage once more.

On one such day, I found myself slogging into a grocery store through the slush, feeling gray and uninspired, when I caught a flash of shiny crimson out of the corner of my eye. I whipped my cart around to investigate. As I wheeled closer, I felt relief. It was a sign. It was rhubarb.

Here in the mid-Atlantic and other places across the country, winter has gone on so long it is impossible not to suffer from root vegetable fatigue. Symptoms include longing for fresh, crispy lettuces, leeks, artichokes, onset of spring fever,