Horseradish is a large and tapering root with a dark brown peel and creamy interior. Look for firm roots with no mushy or black spots.

Morels are a wild, cone-shaped mushroom with honeycomb-like texture. When purchasing, avoid morels that are discolored, splotchy or slimy.

There are several varieties of mushrooms and they can be purchased fresh or dried. Look for fresh mushrooms without slimy, moldy or black spots.

Parsnips are a root vegetable that look like a pale carrot, usually a shade of pale yellow or ivory. Look for parsnips that are firm but not tough.

Pea shoots are very young pea plants. They can be eaten like a green - braised, sauteed or tossed into salads - or made into pesto. Look for bright green pea shoots that are not wilted.

Ramps are definitely delicious — a peppery and pungent cross between onion and garlic — and their ephemeral nature adds to their appeal. Make sure to select ramps without slimy or discolored patches.

Although you can sprout many seeds, the two most common sprouted types are bean and alfalfa. Look for sprouts that are perky and smell fresh. Avoid any that smell off or that appear slimy or wilted.

Tarragon is an herb with a pungent, licorice-like flavor. Look for leaves that are perky and light green, avoiding any mushy or wilted bunches.

Watercress is a leafy green vegetable with a peppery flavor that pairs really well with duck and other game meats. Try to avoid any mushy leaves, as they can spoil the others in storage.