Winter: Recipes in Season

When the cold winter wind blows through the trees and the ground freezes hard as a rock, nothing warms a body faster than hearty comfort food. Soups and stews are favorites during the snowy time of year, as are braised dishes and roasted meats and vegetables. And holiday feasting has its own place among mid-winter dining pleasures.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking there is no good, fresh produce available during the winter months. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and greens are at their peak of sweet flavor. Root vegetables and avocadoes come into their own as well. A wide variety of citrus fruit adds a bright note to an otherwise bleak landscape of fruits. And shellfish are abundant.

Here is a list of items that are abundant, fresh and seasonal for winter.

December Ingredients

Vegetables

Beets | Cabbage | Cauliflower | Celery | Celery Root | Collard Greens | Chanterelle Mushrooms | Parsnips | Rutabagas | Turnips | Winter Squash

Fruits

Apples | Coconuts | Dates | Grapefruit | Grapes | Persimmons | Pomegranates | Tangerines

Fish and Seafood

Clams (U.S. West Coast) | Dungeness Crab | Oysters

January Ingredients

Vegetables

Avocados | Beets | Broccoli | Brussels Sprouts | Cabbage | Cauliflower | Celery | Celery Root | Chanterelle Mushrooms | Greens | Parsnips | Rutabagas | Turnips

Fruits

Apples | Dates | Grapefruit | Kiwi | Lemons | Limes | Oranges | Papayas | Pears | Pommelos | Tangerines

Fish and Seafood

Clams (West Coast) | Oysters | Tuna, Bigeye

February Ingredients

Vegetables

Avocados | Brussels Sprouts | Cabbage | Celery | Celery Root | Chanterelle Mushrooms | Greens | Parsnips | Rutabagas | Salsify | Turnips

Fruits

Apples | Dates | Grapefruit | Kiwi | Lemons | Limes | Oranges | Papayas | Pommelos | Tangerines

Fish and Seafood

Clams (West Coast) | Oysters | Tuna, Bigeye

International Recipes for Winter

Try these warming wintertime dishes.

Ghapama 
(Armenian rice-stuffed and baked whole pumpkin)

Ghapama 
(Armenian rice-stuffed and baked whole pumpkin)

Inlagda Rödbetor 
(Swedish pickled beets)

Inlagda Rödbetor 
(Swedish pickled beets)

Dušené Zelí 
(Czech braised cabbage)

Dušené Zelí 
(Czech braised cabbage)

Spaghetti and Meatballs 
(American pasta with meatballs)

Spaghetti and Meatballs 
(American pasta with meatballs)

Chili con Carne 
(American Tex-Mex spicy beef stew)

Chili con Carne 
(American Tex-Mex spicy beef stew)

Law Bok Gow 
(Chinese steamed radish cake)

Law Bok Gow 
(Chinese steamed radish cake)

Oysters Rockefeller 
(American oysters with green sauce appetizer)

Oysters Rockefeller 
(American oysters with green sauce appetizer)

Köttbullar med Gräddsås 
(Swedish meatballs with cream sauce)

Köttbullar med Gräddsås 
(Swedish meatballs with cream sauce)

Kugelis 
(Lithuanian savory potato pudding)

Kugelis 
(Lithuanian savory potato pudding)

Erdélyi Rakott Káposzta 
(Hungarian pork and sauerkraut casserole)

Erdélyi Rakott Káposzta 
(Hungarian pork and sauerkraut casserole)

Aquavit 
(Swedish herb-infused vodka)

Aquavit 
(Swedish herb-infused vodka)

Crêpes Suzette 
(French thin pancakes with orange sauce)

Crêpes Suzette 
(French thin pancakes with orange sauce)

Boston Baked Beans 
(American white beans baked with molasses)

Boston Baked Beans 
(American white beans baked with molasses)

Schweinebraten 
(German roast pork)

Schweinebraten 
(German roast pork)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

Cranberry Pudding 
(American steamed Christmas pudding)

Cranberry Pudding 
(American steamed Christmas pudding)

Gołąbki 
(Polish, stuffed cabbage rolls)

Gołąbki 
(Polish, stuffed cabbage rolls)

Shchi 
(Russian cabbage soup)

Shchi 
(Russian cabbage soup)

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)

Dong Gu Dofu 
(Chinese braised tofu with mushrooms)

Dong Gu Dofu 
(Chinese braised tofu with mushrooms)

Xihu Cu Yu – West Lake Fish 
(Chinese fish in sweet vinegar sauce)

Xihu Cu Yu – West Lake Fish 
(Chinese fish in sweet vinegar sauce)

Ash-e Jow 
(Persian barley bean soup)

Ash-e Jow 
(Persian barley bean soup)

Latkes 
(Israeli Jewish potato pancakes)

Latkes 
(Israeli Jewish potato pancakes)

Gingerbread Men 
(English spiced Christmas cookies)

Gingerbread Men 
(English spiced Christmas cookies)

Gratin Dauphinois 
(French potatoes baked with cream)

Gratin Dauphinois 
(French potatoes baked with cream)

Hoppin’ John 
(American rice and black-eyed peas)

Hoppin’ John 
(American rice and black-eyed peas)

Brussels Sprouts Gratin 
(English roasted Brussels sprouts with cheese sauce)

Brussels Sprouts Gratin 
(English roasted Brussels sprouts with cheese sauce)

Bográcsgulyás 
(Hungarian beef and pepper stew)

Bográcsgulyás 
(Hungarian beef and pepper stew)

Gigantes Plaki sto Fourno 
(Greek baked white beans in tomato sauce)

Gigantes Plaki sto Fourno 
(Greek baked white beans in tomato sauce)

Mulled Wine 
(English spiced wine)

Mulled Wine 
(English spiced wine)

Kålpudding 
(Swedish caramelized cabbage meatloaf)

Kålpudding 
(Swedish caramelized cabbage meatloaf)

Galbi Jjim 
(Korean braised beef short ribs)

Galbi Jjim 
(Korean braised beef short ribs)

Hong Shao Rou 
(Chinese red-cooked pork)

Hong Shao Rou 
(Chinese red-cooked pork)

Lanttulaatikko 
(Finnish mashed rutabaga casserole)

Lanttulaatikko 
(Finnish mashed rutabaga casserole)

Puchero 
(Spanish meat and chickpea stew)

Puchero 
(Spanish meat and chickpea stew)

Ärtsoppa 
(Swedish yellow pea soup)

Ärtsoppa 
(Swedish yellow pea soup)

Shou Mian – Longevity Noodles 
(Chinese egg noodles in broth)

Shou Mian – Longevity Noodles 
(Chinese egg noodles in broth)

Fagioli all’Uccelletto 
(Italian white beans with tomato and sage)

Fagioli all’Uccelletto 
(Italian white beans with tomato and sage)

Sancocho 
(Latin root vegetable stew)

Sancocho 
(Latin root vegetable stew)

Borshch 
(Ukrainian beet soup)

Borshch 
(Ukrainian beet soup)

Limoncello 
(Italian lemon-flavored liqueur)

Limoncello 
(Italian lemon-flavored liqueur)

Carbonade Flamande, or Vlaamse Stoverij 
(Belgian beef and beer stew)

Carbonade Flamande, or Vlaamse Stoverij 
(Belgian beef and beer stew)

Minestra de Ceci 
(Italian chickpea and pasta soup)

Minestra de Ceci 
(Italian chickpea and pasta soup)

Boston Brown Bread 
(American steamed whole-grain molasses bread)

Boston Brown Bread 
(American steamed whole-grain molasses bread)

Southern Greens 
(American Southern-Soul simmered leafy greens)

Southern Greens 
(American Southern-Soul simmered leafy greens)

Chicken Pot Pie 
(American savory chicken stew in pastry)

Chicken Pot Pie 
(American savory chicken stew in pastry)

Canard à l’Orange 
(French roast duck with orange sauce)

Canard à l’Orange 
(French roast duck with orange sauce)

Coq au Vin 
(French chicken braised in wine)

Coq au Vin 
(French chicken braised in wine)

Hasenpfeffer 
(German stewed rabbit)

Hasenpfeffer 
(German stewed rabbit)

Bigos 
(Polish hunter’s stew of meat, cabbage and sauerkraut)

Bigos 
(Polish hunter’s stew of meat, cabbage and sauerkraut)

Paprikás Csirke 
(Hungarian chicken paprikash)

Paprikás Csirke 
(Hungarian chicken paprikash)

Coquito 
(Puerto Rican coconut-rum beverage)

Coquito 
(Puerto Rican coconut-rum beverage)

Locro 
(Ecuadoran, Peruvian potato-cheese soup)

Locro 
(Ecuadoran, Peruvian potato-cheese soup)

Jambalaya 
(American Cajun-Creole rice with chicken, shrimp and andouille sausage)

Jambalaya 
(American Cajun-Creole rice with chicken, shrimp and andouille sausage)

Apfelmus 
(German applesauce)

Apfelmus 
(German applesauce)

Pavo Salvadoreño 
(Salvadoran roast turkey with sauce)

Pavo Salvadoreño 
(Salvadoran roast turkey with sauce)

Shuan Yang Rou 
(Chinese Mongolian hotpot)

Shuan Yang Rou 
(Chinese Mongolian hotpot)

Sopa de Ajo 
(Spanish garlic and bread soup)

Sopa de Ajo 
(Spanish garlic and bread soup)

Eggnog 
(American egg and cream Christmas beverage)

Eggnog 
(American egg and cream Christmas beverage)

Oyster Stew 
(American shellfish stew)

Oyster Stew 
(American shellfish stew)

Zuppa di Lenticchie 
(Italian lentil soup)

Zuppa di Lenticchie 
(Italian lentil soup)

Fesenjan 
(Persian chicken in pomegranate-walnut sauce)

Fesenjan 
(Persian chicken in pomegranate-walnut sauce)

Poule au Pot 
(French chicken in a pot)

Poule au Pot 
(French chicken in a pot)

Töltött Káposzta 
(Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls over sauerkraut)

Töltött Káposzta 
(Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls over sauerkraut)

Toshikoshi Soba 
(Japanese New Year soba noodles)

Toshikoshi Soba 
(Japanese New Year soba noodles)

Scotch Broth 
(Scottish lamb, barley and root vegetable stew)

Scotch Broth 
(Scottish lamb, barley and root vegetable stew)

Semmelknödel 
(German bread dumplings)

Semmelknödel 
(German bread dumplings)

Rumtopf 
(German rum-soaked fruit dessert)

Rumtopf 
(German rum-soaked fruit dessert)

Pasteles 
(Puerto Rican savory cakes in banana leaves)

Pasteles 
(Puerto Rican savory cakes in banana leaves)

Panforte 
(Italian Christmas honey fruitcake)

Panforte 
(Italian Christmas honey fruitcake)

Sauerbraten 
(German marinated beef pot roast)

Sauerbraten 
(German marinated beef pot roast)

Soon Dubu Jjigae 
(Korean spicy tofu stew)

Soon Dubu Jjigae 
(Korean spicy tofu stew)

Sorrel Punch 
(Jamaican hibiscus flower beverage)

Sorrel Punch 
(Jamaican hibiscus flower beverage)

Brasato al Chianti 
(Italian beef braised in red wine)

Brasato al Chianti 
(Italian beef braised in red wine)

Kotmis Satsivi 
(Georgian chicken with walnut sauce)

Kotmis Satsivi 
(Georgian chicken with walnut sauce)

Sufganiyot 
(Israeli Jewish filled donuts)

Sufganiyot 
(Israeli Jewish filled donuts)

Lefse 
(Norwegian potato flatbread)

Lefse 
(Norwegian potato flatbread)

Fabada Asturiana 
(Spanish sausage and bean stew)

Fabada Asturiana 
(Spanish sausage and bean stew)

Linzertorte 
(Austrian jam tart)

Linzertorte 
(Austrian jam tart)

Apple Fritters 
(Jewish batter-fried apple rings)

Apple Fritters 
(Jewish batter-fried apple rings)

Ragù Bolognese 
(Italian tomato-meat sauce)

Ragù Bolognese 
(Italian tomato-meat sauce)

Hausgemachtes Sauerkraut 
(German, Austrian, Swiss homemade fermented cabbage)

Hausgemachtes Sauerkraut 
(German, Austrian, Swiss homemade fermented cabbage)

Tire sur la Neige 
(Canadian maple syrup taffy)

Tire sur la Neige 
(Canadian maple syrup taffy)

Fondue 
(Swiss melted cheese dish)

Fondue 
(Swiss melted cheese dish)

Khoresht-e Aloo 
(Persian lamb stewed with prunes)

Khoresht-e Aloo 
(Persian lamb stewed with prunes)

Roast Prime Rib 
(English roast rib of beef)

Roast Prime Rib 
(English roast rib of beef)

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)

New England Clam Chowder 
(American clam and potato stew)

New England Clam Chowder 
(American clam and potato stew)

Pierogi 
(Polish stuffed dumplings)

Pierogi 
(Polish stuffed dumplings)

Dresdner Stollen 
(German Christmas fruitcake)

Dresdner Stollen 
(German Christmas fruitcake)

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup 
(American Midwestern hearty cheese soup)

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup 
(American Midwestern hearty cheese soup)

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)

Irish Stew 
(Irish lamb and potato stew)

Irish Stew 
(Irish lamb and potato stew)

Blaukraut 
(German braised red cabbage)

Blaukraut 
(German braised red cabbage)

Daube de Boeuf Provençale 
(French Provencal beef braised in red wine)

Daube de Boeuf Provençale 
(French Provencal beef braised in red wine)

Torta di Mele 
(Italian apple torte)

Torta di Mele 
(Italian apple torte)

Yorkshire Pudding 
(English savory puff pudding)

Yorkshire Pudding 
(English savory puff pudding)

Stekt Gås 
(Swedish roast Christmas goose with pan gravy)

Stekt Gås 
(Swedish roast Christmas goose with pan gravy)

Shepherd’s Pie 
(English-Irish meat pie with mashed potato topping)

Shepherd’s Pie 
(English-Irish meat pie with mashed potato topping)

Tourtière 
(French Canadian pork pie)

Tourtière 
(French Canadian pork pie)

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