What’s in Season

Its January and what is in season this month ? Well there are plenty of the winter vegetables still in season and so many meals to be made from them.

Apples, Beetroot, Brussel Sprouts, Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Pears, red and white Cabbage, Squash, Swede and Turnips. These are just some of the variety of vegetables out there and it is good for your diet to keep swapping and changing, building a variety of vitamins and minerals into your diet.

So many more vegetables are available in the winter months, and here are just a few ideas, on what to cook with them.

Beetroot: How about a warm and satisfying Borsht, it originated from Russia and it is a fantastic, filling soup for the winter.

Brussel Sprouts: How about adding these to soups, salads, or a side dish, fried off with cashews and onion. They do not just have to be for Christmas, they are great in so many other dishes.

Apples: These are great added to salads, as well as in juices or make homemade apple sauce, chutney or Apple cakes.

Cabbage: This is a very versatile vegetable and can be used raw in salads, or added to soups, stir fry’s and included in side dishes.

Squash: Part of the pumpkin family of vegetables, there are so many varieties, from the tiny little squash, to different colours and flavours. Its good to try out different ones, so you can roast them, use in curries, make into a sauce for pasta, or boil and use as a mash.

Onions: There are a wide variety of onions available, from large spring onions, purple spring onions, red and white onions. They are great to add as a flavour for cooking in whatever your meal may be. Try out the different ones and use purple ones to add colour to salads.

Leeks: Another great light flavour, can be added to dishes to enhance flavour, or added to sauces. How about lightly frying them off and having as a side dish. High in vitamin C, Iron and B6. They are also high in flavonoids, so are a great antioxidant.

This is a brilliant month to try out the local variety of vegetables, so pop into your local green grocer and buy a few different vegetables to try. You can find all of the recipes above on my website.