01 Dec What’s in Season Right Now? (Winter 2015)
Seasonality of what you consume is more important than ever. Not only are restaurants adopting the practice of creating dishes that use ingredients that are in season, but many grocery stores are also beginning to do the same.
One of the most important things you can do is to arm yourself with the knowledge of what’s in season during certain months so you can make the most out of the produce.
In-season produce not only tastes better, but you’re also supporting the local farmers and eliminating your carbon footprint by minimizing orders for items that aren’t available in your area, but are grown across the world and have to be shipped.
Here’s what’s in season during Winter 2015.
Apples
Delightful in salads, as desserts, and as snacks, the apple is one of the most versatile foods around.
Try these recipes:
Roasted apple and winter squash soup
Cabbage, apple, and walnut salad
Apple cherry cobbler
Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are certainly not everyone’s favorites, but when made right, they’re incredible. Key tip: don’t under- or overcook your sprouts!
Try these recipes:
Pasta with shaved Brussels sprouts and pancetta
Roasted Brussels sprouts
Scalloped Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cabbage is a lot more interesting than you think. Use your cold winter days wisely and try out some new recipes starring cabbage.
Try these recipes:
Roasted cabbage with bacon
Baja fish tacos
Thai cabbage slaw
Carrots
Carrots don’t have to just be a boring snack; reimagine what carrots can taste like by roasting them, searing them, boiling them, and steaming them.
Try these recipes:
Spicy carrot kofte
Harissa and maple roasted carrots
Carrot and leek creamed soup with chive oil
Cauliflower
Incorporate this powerful cruciferous vegetable to punch up your nutritional intake this winter.
Try these recipes:
Crunchy top cauliflower
Cauliflower cheese
Shaved cauliflower salad
Pears
Sweet and juicy, pears will brighten up your winter. They are great in both savory and sweet dishes.
Try these recipes:
Pear pie with red wine and rosemary
Leek, pear, and chanterelle toasts
Pear and manchego salad
Winter Squash
Makes sense that winter squash is seasonal during the winter, right? They work best in comfort food recipes, so it’s certainly good that they’re best during the cold months.
Try these recipes:
Winter squash carbonara with pancetta and sage
Indian spiced roasted winter squash soup
Winter panzenella
Turnips
Cooked or eaten raw, turnips will give you all the vitamin C you need to keep you healthy and happy through the winter.
Try these recipes:
Turnip gratin
Glazed turnips
Baked turnip fries
Sticking to seasonal foods can be tough; it’s not the easiest to stick to things that only have a window of a few months.
With Urban Cultivator, you can grow a variety of herbs, vegetables, and microgreens in as little as seven days. The best part, though, is that seasons don’t matter; you can grow anything, anytime.
What are your favorite vegetables during the winter season? Let us know in the comments section!