Search Huw Richards on YouTube. He has a book as well. I guess it's suited to British climate so will work in new York and anything south of that.

Key take aways: cucumbers beans and peas are the easiest and fastest things to grow, if you haven't grown anything before.

Potatoes are viable and give a big harvest

I would recommend any root vegetables because, A) its satisfying, B) they're less susceptible to bug and slug attack. Carrots are super good for you.

Edit: if you have no garden space, just pots, beans cucumbers pease work well in that.

Potatoes are even viable in this method if you have a lot of surplus water (e.g from a clothes dryer or a dehumidifier or from washing up or cooking or tea drinking.)