It’s simple to think about winter seasonal produce as boring and missing colour, however that’s removed from the reality! We could not have vibrant spring greens, or juicy pink tomatoes however it’s extra thrilling than one might imagine. I like this time of 12 months as a result of if you happen to’re craving one thing refreshing, you possibly can throw collectively a kale salad with a brilliant, citrusy dressing. Contrarily, if you need one thing cozy, you possibly can take pleasure in a hearty soup made with squash or root greens. Similar to each season, there’s one thing right here for everybody.
Welcome to my December Produce Information! It’s laborious to imagine that we’ve lastly made it to the final month of the 12 months. This month’s record seems similar to November, with just a few additions, together with chestnuts! I don’t normally do any gardening this time of 12 months, however I’m fairly certain the kale and parsley are nonetheless hanging on. Native farmer’s markets ought to nonetheless be full of in-season fruits and veggies although.
Thanks to everybody who has been following my seasonal produce guides for the previous 12 months! I’ve had enjoyable placing them collectively and hope you all have loved studying from them. I plan on persevering with them into the brand new 12 months and updating every outdated publish as we go. I can be including new dietary data and recipe hyperlinks to every month. So, if you happen to loved these posts final 12 months, ensure that to maintain following alongside in 2025 🙂
P.S, needless to say totally different areas of the nation have totally different rising seasons, so what’s in season right here might not be what’s in season the place you reside.
Under I’ve highlighted just a few of my favourite winter produce and I’ve linked to a couple recipes that offers you concepts of methods to take pleasure in them!
DECEMBER PRODUCE GUIDE
Because the saying goes, “An apple a day retains the physician away” so you understand that apples will need to have tons of wholesome advantages to them! Apples are an important supply of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants. They will additionally assist decrease unhealthy ldl cholesterol, which is essential for cardiovascular well being.
Apples are nice as a result of they can be utilized in each candy and savory recipes. I like placing them into all the things from baked oatmeal and muffins to salads and stuffing. They add a pleasant refreshing sweetness and a crunchy texture, when served uncooked.
Caramelized Apple and Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal Cups
Refreshing Kale Salad with Apples
Simple Apple Crisp Breakfast Bowls
Beets are root greens that are available in a few totally different colours. Most individuals are conversant in pink beets which have a really vibrant colour, however there are additionally golden beets which are slightly extra gentle in taste. You may eat the beet greens as nicely!
Beets are excessive in phytonutrients, that are vitamins present in sure meals that may assist preserve your physique wholesome and forestall illness. They’re additionally excessive in antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Extra irritation contained in the physique can result in auto-immune points and different illnesses.
Beets might be loved each uncooked and cooked. I like so as to add them uncooked to salads, just like the one under. Beets may also be pickled, steamed or roasted. They’ve an earthy taste that’s barely candy.
Beet and Carrot Salad with Chickpeas
Goat Cheese Beet and Balsamic Puff Pastry Bites
Vegan Beet Burgers with Brown Rice
Roasted Beet Chickpea and Black Rice Bowls
More healthy Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry and Beets
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that’s within the mustard household, together with cabbage, Brussels sprouts and kale. There are just a few totally different forms of broccoli, however Calabrese is the most typical one in the US and doubtless the one that the majority of us use.
Broccoli is a powerhouse vegetable that gives tons of well being advantages. Broccoli is full of tons of antioxidants, which assist cut back undesirable irritation contained in the physique. Broccoli additionally comprises a considerable amount of each fiber and vitamin C. One cup of broccoli has about as a lot vitamin C as an orange.
Broccoli might be loved each uncooked and cooked. I like chopping uncooked broccoli into chew sized items and including it to salads. In the event you desire your broccoli cooked, you possibly can steam it, roast it or stir fry it.
Chili Garlic Broccoli with Chickpeas
Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing
Veggie Packed Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Crunchy Baked Broccoli with Spicy Soy Sauce
Tacky Broccoli Rice Casserole Bites
Brussels sprouts are like tiny little cabbages that develop collectively on an enormous stalk. Brussels sprouts have all the time gotten a nasty wrap for being steamed and pungent, however they will really be tremendous scrumptious when cooked nicely!
Brussels sprouts might be served each uncooked and cooked. I wish to thinly grate uncooked sprouts and add them to salads and slaws. They’re additionally nice roasted or sautéed. You may, after all, steam them however I might advocate not over steaming and seasoning with at the very least salt and pepper.
Roasted Brussels Sprout Bowls with Honey Mustard Dressing
Lemon Pepper Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Simple Roasted Vegetable Pasta with Parmesan
Carrots are springtime root greens which are fairly simple to develop. Orange carrots are most comply seen and bought on the grocery retailer, however you can too develop rainbow coloured carrots. Carrots come in several sizes, some are brief and fats, whereas others are lengthy and skinny. Child carrots, nonetheless, aren’t an precise carrot selection, as an alternative they’re made with a machine utilizing common sized carrots.
I like to snack on uncooked carrots or add them to salads and wrap. Carrots may also be roasted, sautéed, cooked into soup or baked into muffins or muffins. They’re a really versatile vegetable that can be utilized in each candy and savory recipes. Carrots are most likely most eaten uncooked, with ranch or hummus, within the US although!
Carrot and Chickpea Salad with Orange Maple Dressing
Roasted Carrot and Dill Hummus
Noodles with Cabbage and Carrots
Curried Candy Potato Carrot and Purple Lentil Soup
I take advantage of white cauliflower greater than every other selection, however you can too discover purple and yellow cauliflower. The style varies barely however they will all be used interchangeably in your recipes. I used to see cauliflower as the tasteless cousin of broccoli, however as of late it’s getting it’s time within the highlight and I’ve actually realized to embrace it within the kitchen!
Cauliflower might be cooked so many various methods as of late. It may be roasted, steamed, charred, pureed and even became rice (a veggie model anyhow 🙂 ). My private favourite method to cook dinner cauliflower, and what’s pictured under, is coating it with batter and a crispy coating, baking it within the oven till crispy after which tossing it in a flavorful sauce.
Golden Roasted Cauliflower with Coconut Curry Tahini Dressing
Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Ranch Slaw
Vegetarian Cauliflower Fried Rice
Kale is available in just a few totally different varieties together with: curly, lacinato and purple. Kale is a hearty inexperienced that may stand up to colder temperatures. Child kale has additionally turn into fairly well-liked as of late and continues to be hearty, however slightly extra much like child spinach or lettuce.
Kale might be loved each cooked and uncooked. I like massaging uncooked kale and including it to salads. It’s hearty and has some texture, whereas additionally being refreshing. Kale wilts shortly, so it could actually simply be thrown into soups, stir fry and pastas.
Chopped Kale Energy Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Kale and White Bean Pasta with Parmesan
Garlicky Kale with White Beans and Lemon
Radishes are within the mustard household and are available in just a few totally different varieties. Most individuals are most likely used to seeing Purple Radishes, that are generally bought in grocery shops. These radishes are normally eaten uncooked and have a spicy, crisp style.
I normally simply thinly slice radishes and throw them into salads, however you can too pickle them, grill them and even roast them within the oven. Roasting them mellows the sharp taste a bit and provides some sweetness.
Roasted Radishes with Garlic and Herbs
Veggie Sushi Bowls with Fast Pickled Radishes
Crunchy Ranch Salad with Crispy Quinoa
Roasted Candy Potato Black Bean Salad with Kale
Candy potatoes are available in just a few totally different colours, together with orange, pink and purple. They’re root greens, that means they develop below the soil and have greens that develop above. The greens are edible, however the precise potato half is extra generally eaten.
My favourite method to cook dinner candy potatoes is to roast them. I wish to cube them into chunks or slice them into French fry shapes after which toss them with some spices. You can even mash candy potatoes or bake them such as you would an everyday potato and add your favourite toppings.
Roasted Candy Potato Hummus Wraps with Honey Mustard
Sheet Pan Candy Potato Fajitas with Black Beans
Vegan Sloppy Joe Stuffed Candy Potatoes
After I say winter squash, I’m referring to varieties like butternut, acorn, spaghetti, delicata, pink kuri and pumpkin. They’re hearty squash that develop nicely in colder temperatures and normally have a protracted shelf life. Some have thick pores and skin that must be peeled off, like butternut squash, whereas others like delicata squash have pores and skin that may simply be eaten.
Winter squash is finest loved cooked, for my part. I wish to roast it and add it to bowls or wraps. Squash can also be nice in soups, stews and curries. Spaghetti squash has nice texture and can be utilized instead of pasta.
Simple Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
