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What Produce is in Season for Winter? + Recipes

Winter Produce

Winter may be the season of staying indoors, but it’s still rife with delicious fruits and vegetables. Check out this quick guide to winter produce, complete with recipes to get you started.

Why eat seasonally?

Eating seasonally provides quite a few benefits. For one, since the season is optimal for these fruits and vegetables, they’ll likely have better flavor than when out of season. Better quality produce means better flavor, making them even easier to enjoy.

If you have a local farmer’s market, look for the winter produce listed here. Purchasing locally grown seasonal produce is more eco-friendly. Why? Out of season produce found in supermarkets is often shipped in from other countries, meaning more emissions. Locally grown means it traveled much less, and you’re likely to get riper, fresher produce as well.

The Winter season runs from December 21 – to March 20.

winter produce

What’s fruits are in season for winter?

Citrus may be the most popular winter fruit. They’re able to endure the chilling frost of winter better than other fruits. Pineapple may be the most surprising winter fruit. Its season begins at the tail end of winter (in March) and continues throughout the spring and summer months. Pears are a winter favorite, though their peak season is short. Get them while you can!

sliced avocado fruit on a banana leaf

Avocado – January to March

yellow banana fruits

Banana – Year-round

slice grapefruit

Grapefruit – January to August

sliced kiwi fruits

Kiwifruit – November to January

food healthy nature water

Meyer Lemons – November to March

composition of sliced bright tropical fruits

Orange – Fall to Spring

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Pears – August to December

What vegetables are in season for winter?

Root vegetables and hearty leafy greens are the most popular winter vegetables. Parsnips, turnips and rutabagas may not be everyone’s first choice, but with the right recipe, they transform into delectable side dishes, luscious soups, or even tasty seasoned fries. Winter squash are heartier than summer squash, with thicker skins and firmer flesh, able to endure the winter frost. Look for Kabocha, Acord, Buttercup, Butternut or Delicata squash at your local market.

food water summer texture
Cabbage (fall to spring)

Celery (April to December)

red flower bud on green leaves
Swiss Chard (December to March)
Collard Greens (December to March)
food healthy wood leaf
Kale (November to March)
Onion (September to March)
Parsnip (September to June)
potatoes
New Potatoes – late winter; Russet potatoes – year round

Rutabaga – October to March

Turnip – October to March

Winter Squash – Butternut, Acorn, Kabocha, Delicata

What to make with winter produce

Here are four recipes using seasonal produce to make the best of winter season!

Kale and Chickpea Pasta by Edible Ink

Harness the power of kale and chickpeas in this 30-minute pasta recipe. Great for a nutrient-packed, quick weeknight dinner. This is kale done right; sauteed in a cast-iron skillet with garlic and spices.

Kale and Chickpea (Garbanzo Bean) Pasta
A delicious one-pan pasta that makes for a quick vegetarian weeknight meal packed with essential vitamins and nutrients.
Check out this recipe

Cinnamon Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash by Eating Bird Food

Kabocha squash (also called Japanese pumpkin) may be my personal favorite squash. It’s easily roasted, with a great firm texture and only mild sweetness. It can be easily transformed into a soup, curry or roasted with cinnamon and maple, like in this recipe!

Cinnamon Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash
This cinnamon maple roasted kabocha squash is the perfect sweet side dish for fall and super easy to whip up. Kabocha squash wedges are tossed with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt and roasted to caramelized perfection.
Check out this recipe
Cinnamon Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash

Parsnip Chips via Food Network

The right combination of spices can turn any vegetable into a tasty masterpiece. Which is exactly what happens in this Parsnip Chips recipe by Chef Aarti Sequeira.

Parsnip Chips
Get Parsnip Chips Recipe from Food Network
Check out this recipe
Parsnip Chips

Orange Espresso Cupcakes by Edible Ink

Marbled cupcakes are always sure to impress! This recipe uses winter oranges and a dash of espresso for a fun and refreshing cupcake.

Marbled Orange Espresso Cupcakes
These marbled cupcakes are sure to impress! To keep this recipe as streamlined as possible, I've laid out step-by-step instructions. You'll be making the espresso and orange batters separately, then marbling them together in the cupcake molds. Lastly, while the cupcakes are baking, prepare the buttercream (if desired, or use store bought).
Check out this recipe
Orange Espresso cupcakes

2 responses to “What Produce is in Season for Winter? + Recipes”

  1. Totally didn’t realise Avocados were seasonal to Winter! And those Parsnip chips look amazing!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

  2. I didn’t know you could cook parsnips like that; looks delish!

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