Taste the Outer Banks year-round — from Currituck strawberries and summer blue crabs to fall oysters and Hatteras hand-harvested sea salt.

🌸 Spring: Strawberries, Herbs & Early Seafood Spring means the return of vibrant color and fresh catches. Currituck Strawberries: May is peak berry season in Currituck, which is part of the fertile Northeast North Carolina growing region. Places like Morris Farm Market (Barco) and Grandy Greenhouse & Farm Market (Grandy) overflow with flats of berries and herbs—a mandatory stop for many driving onto the islands. Tarheel Too (Kill Devil Hills): While Dare County's barrier islands lack large farms, Tarheel Too Produce acts as a vital link, bringing the best of northeastern NC agriculture right to the beach towns—think fresh spring greens, onions, and asparagus. Early Seafood: Dockside markets in Wanchese start offering spring catches. Look for sheepshead (often called "poor man's snapper"), drum, and the first of the shrimp coming in. O’Neal’s Sea Harvest is a Wanchese institution known for picking up exactly what just came off the boat.

☀️ Summer: Corn, Tomatoes, Peaches & Blue Crabs Summer delivers the Southern staples people crave, fresh and ripe from the vine. Farm Stands on Highway 158: Roadside stops like Powell’s Roadside Produce are summer staples. Be on the lookout for the famously sweet Silver Queen corn, massive heirloom tomatoes, and sun-ripened melons. Secotan Market (Wanchese): This producer-only Saturday market in Wanchese is a true local gem. You'll find items like small-batch artisanal cheeses, fresh sourdough breads, and the most unique farm-grown produce sourced strictly from local producers in the region. Blue Crabs & Shrimp: Crabbers haul bushels of blue crabs daily, often using traditional crab pots or trotlines in the shallow sound waters. Shrimp boats unload in Wanchese, Hatteras, and Ocracoke. On Hatteras Island, check Harbor House Seafood Market (Hatteras Village) or Odell’s Seafood Market (Hatteras) for crabs, shrimp, and tuna steaks fresh off the dock.

🍂 Fall: Pumpkins, Sweet Potatoes & Oysters As the crowds thin and the water cools, the harvest shifts to heartier ingredients and the briny bounty of the sound. Sweet Potatoes: North Carolina is the largest sweet potato producer in the U.S., and Currituck farms ensure these make their way into your holiday pies and side dishes. You'll find a wide variety at farm stands across the county. Oysters: Peak Season Begins. As water temperatures drop below 60°F, oyster quality improves dramatically. In Stumpy Point, Hatteras, and Ocracoke, small-scale harvesters bring in salty, briny Pamlico Sound oysters perfect for roasts or holiday stews. Risky Business Seafood (Hatteras Village) is a reliable spot for local oysters and shellfish. Coastal Farmers Co-op: This crucial collaboration ensures Dare and beach towns have steady access to high-quality farm goods, even as seasonal demand changes and despite the lack of local farmland.

❄️ Winter: Collards, Stews & Sea Salt Winter cooking is about warming comfort food and utilizing the ocean's gifts during the quietest months. Collards & Greens: Currituck fields continue to produce cold-hardy collards and kale well into the colder months, keeping roadside markets stocked with essential greens for Southern cooking. Seafood Stews: Winter is peak season for hearty seafood dishes—think oyster stew, clam chowder, and gumbo made with fresh drum and blue crabs. Family-run seafood houses in Hatteras and Ocracoke keep locals fed and spirits high through the off-season. Hatteras Saltworks: This unique Hatteras Island business hand-harvests OBX sea water and uses solar and wind power to slowly evaporate the water and produce pure, flaky finishing salts and flavored blends. It literally brings a taste of the Atlantic to your kitchen. Holiday Markets: From Manteo to Ocracoke, winter pop-ups showcase homemade jams, baked goods, and handcrafted food gifts, offering a perfect way to support local makers.

📍 Where to Find OBX Flavors Farm Country: Highway 158 (Grandy, Jarvisburg, Barco): Morris Farm Market, Grandy Greenhouse, and Powell’s Produce are your key stops. Beach Towns: Tarheel Too Produce delivers farm-fresh goods right in the middle of Kill Devil Hills. Wanchese: O’Neal’s Sea Harvest for dockside seafood; Secotan Market for producer-only farm goods. Hatteras & Ocracoke: Harbor House Seafood Market, Odell’s Seafood Market, Risky Business Seafood, and Ocracoke Seafood Company are essential stops for direct-from-fisherman seafood.

❤️ The Flavor of the OBX From strawberries in Currituck to oysters in Ocracoke, the Outer Banks tells its story through flavor. By buying directly from local farmers, fishermen, and specialty makers, you’re not just eating well—you’re sustaining the traditions and the working waterfronts that make the OBX unique. So next time you visit, eat the season. Because here, every month truly has a taste of its own.