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.

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

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

Fabada Asturiana 
(Spanish sausage and bean stew)

Fabada Asturiana 
(Spanish sausage and bean stew)

Hong Shao Rou 
(Chinese red-cooked pork)

Hong Shao Rou 
(Chinese red-cooked pork)

Eggnog 
(American egg and cream Christmas beverage)

Eggnog 
(American egg and cream Christmas beverage)

Sorrel Punch 
(Jamaican hibiscus flower beverage)

Sorrel Punch 
(Jamaican hibiscus flower beverage)

Apfelmus 
(German applesauce)

Apfelmus 
(German applesauce)

Puchero 
(Spanish meat and chickpea stew)

Puchero 
(Spanish meat and chickpea stew)

Khoresht-e Aloo 
(Persian lamb stewed with prunes)

Khoresht-e Aloo 
(Persian lamb stewed with prunes)

Boston Baked Beans 
(American white beans baked with molasses)

Boston Baked Beans 
(American white beans baked with molasses)

Gingerbread Men 
(English spiced Christmas cookies)

Gingerbread Men 
(English spiced Christmas cookies)

Toshikoshi Soba 
(Japanese New Year soba noodles)

Toshikoshi Soba 
(Japanese New Year soba noodles)

Pavo Salvadoreño 
(Salvadoran roast turkey with sauce)

Pavo Salvadoreño 
(Salvadoran roast turkey with sauce)

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

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

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)

Ash-e Jow 
(Persian barley bean soup)

Ash-e Jow 
(Persian barley bean soup)

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)

Locro 
(Ecuadoran, Peruvian potato-cheese soup)

Locro 
(Ecuadoran, Peruvian potato-cheese soup)

Blaukraut 
(German braised red cabbage)

Blaukraut 
(German braised red cabbage)

Latkes 
(Israeli Jewish potato pancakes)

Latkes 
(Israeli Jewish potato pancakes)

Oysters Rockefeller 
(American oysters with green sauce appetizer)

Oysters Rockefeller 
(American oysters with green sauce appetizer)

Tourtière 
(French Canadian pork pie)

Tourtière 
(French Canadian pork pie)

Dresdner Stollen 
(German Christmas fruitcake)

Dresdner Stollen 
(German Christmas fruitcake)

Fesenjan 
(Persian chicken in pomegranate-walnut sauce)

Fesenjan 
(Persian chicken in pomegranate-walnut sauce)

Coquito 
(Puerto Rican coconut-rum beverage)

Coquito 
(Puerto Rican coconut-rum beverage)

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

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

Fondue 
(Swiss melted cheese dish)

Fondue 
(Swiss melted cheese dish)

Galbi Jjim 
(Korean braised beef short ribs)

Galbi Jjim 
(Korean braised beef short ribs)

Minestra de Ceci 
(Italian chickpea and pasta soup)

Minestra de Ceci 
(Italian chickpea and pasta soup)

Lefse 
(Norwegian potato flatbread)

Lefse 
(Norwegian potato flatbread)

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

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

Kotmis Satsivi 
(Georgian chicken with walnut sauce)

Kotmis Satsivi 
(Georgian chicken with walnut sauce)

Kålpudding 
(Swedish caramelized cabbage meatloaf)

Kålpudding 
(Swedish caramelized cabbage meatloaf)

Dušené Zelí 
(Czech braised cabbage)

Dušené Zelí 
(Czech braised cabbage)

Roast Prime Rib 
(English roast rib of beef)

Roast Prime Rib 
(English roast rib of beef)

Limoncello 
(Italian lemon-flavored liqueur)

Limoncello 
(Italian lemon-flavored liqueur)

Köttbullar med Gräddsås 
(Swedish meatballs with cream sauce)

Köttbullar med Gräddsås 
(Swedish meatballs with cream sauce)

Zuppa di Lenticchie 
(Italian lentil soup)

Zuppa di Lenticchie 
(Italian lentil soup)

Kugelis 
(Lithuanian savory potato pudding)

Kugelis 
(Lithuanian savory potato pudding)

Panforte 
(Italian Christmas honey fruitcake)

Panforte 
(Italian Christmas honey fruitcake)

Law Bok Gow 
(Chinese steamed radish cake)

Law Bok Gow 
(Chinese steamed radish cake)

Brasato al Chianti 
(Italian beef braised in red wine)

Brasato al Chianti 
(Italian beef braised in red wine)

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

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

Paprikás Csirke 
(Hungarian chicken paprikash)

Paprikás Csirke 
(Hungarian chicken paprikash)

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

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

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

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

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup 
(American Midwestern hearty cheese soup)

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup 
(American Midwestern hearty cheese soup)

Bográcsgulyás 
(Hungarian beef and pepper stew)

Bográcsgulyás 
(Hungarian beef and pepper stew)

Yorkshire Pudding 
(English savory puff pudding)

Yorkshire Pudding 
(English savory puff pudding)

Crêpes Suzette 
(French thin pancakes with orange sauce)

Crêpes Suzette 
(French thin pancakes with orange sauce)

Spaghetti and Meatballs 
(American pasta with meatballs)

Spaghetti and Meatballs 
(American pasta with meatballs)

Ragù Bolognese 
(Italian tomato-meat sauce)

Ragù Bolognese 
(Italian tomato-meat sauce)

Oyster Stew 
(American shellfish stew)

Oyster Stew 
(American shellfish stew)

Southern Greens 
(American Southern-Soul simmered leafy greens)

Southern Greens 
(American Southern-Soul simmered leafy greens)

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)

Shchi 
(Russian cabbage soup)

Shchi 
(Russian cabbage soup)

Ghapama 
(Armenian rice-stuffed and baked whole pumpkin)

Ghapama 
(Armenian rice-stuffed and baked whole pumpkin)

Soon Dubu Jjigae 
(Korean spicy tofu stew)

Soon Dubu Jjigae 
(Korean spicy tofu stew)

Gołąbki 
(Polish, stuffed cabbage rolls)

Gołąbki 
(Polish, stuffed cabbage rolls)

Apple Fritters 
(Jewish batter-fried apple rings)

Apple Fritters 
(Jewish batter-fried apple rings)

Poule au Pot 
(French chicken in a pot)

Poule au Pot 
(French chicken in a pot)

Erdélyi Rakott Káposzta 
(Hungarian pork and sauerkraut casserole)

Erdélyi Rakott Káposzta 
(Hungarian pork and sauerkraut casserole)

Shuan Yang Rou 
(Chinese Mongolian hotpot)

Shuan Yang Rou 
(Chinese Mongolian hotpot)

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

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

Mulled Wine 
(English spiced wine)

Mulled Wine 
(English spiced wine)

Sopa de Ajo 
(Spanish garlic and bread soup)

Sopa de Ajo 
(Spanish garlic and bread soup)

Gratin Dauphinois 
(French potatoes baked with cream)

Gratin Dauphinois 
(French potatoes baked with cream)

Hasenpfeffer 
(German stewed rabbit)

Hasenpfeffer 
(German stewed rabbit)

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

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

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

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

Inlagda Rödbetor 
(Swedish pickled beets)

Inlagda Rödbetor 
(Swedish pickled beets)

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

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

Rumtopf 
(German rum-soaked fruit dessert)

Rumtopf 
(German rum-soaked fruit dessert)

Torta di Mele 
(Italian apple torte)

Torta di Mele 
(Italian apple torte)

Coq au Vin 
(French chicken braised in wine)

Coq au Vin 
(French chicken braised in wine)

Chicken Pot Pie 
(American savory chicken stew in pastry)

Chicken Pot Pie 
(American savory chicken stew in pastry)

Aquavit 
(Swedish herb-infused vodka)

Aquavit 
(Swedish herb-infused vodka)

New England Clam Chowder 
(American clam and potato stew)

New England Clam Chowder 
(American clam and potato stew)

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

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

Cranberry Pudding 
(American steamed Christmas pudding)

Cranberry Pudding 
(American steamed Christmas pudding)

Linzertorte 
(Austrian jam tart)

Linzertorte 
(Austrian jam tart)

Lanttulaatikko 
(Finnish mashed rutabaga casserole)

Lanttulaatikko 
(Finnish mashed rutabaga casserole)

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

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

Pasteles 
(Puerto Rican savory cakes in banana leaves)

Pasteles 
(Puerto Rican savory cakes in banana leaves)

Dong Gu Dofu 
(Chinese braised tofu with mushrooms)

Dong Gu Dofu 
(Chinese braised tofu with mushrooms)

Stekt Gås 
(Swedish roast Christmas goose with pan gravy)

Stekt Gås 
(Swedish roast Christmas goose with pan gravy)

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

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

Borshch 
(Ukrainian beet soup)

Borshch 
(Ukrainian beet soup)

Ärtsoppa 
(Swedish yellow pea soup)

Ärtsoppa 
(Swedish yellow pea soup)

Irish Stew 
(Irish lamb and potato stew)

Irish Stew 
(Irish lamb and potato stew)

Tire sur la Neige 
(Canadian maple syrup taffy)

Tire sur la Neige 
(Canadian maple syrup taffy)

Sufganiyot 
(Israeli Jewish filled donuts)

Sufganiyot 
(Israeli Jewish filled donuts)

Schweinebraten 
(German roast pork)

Schweinebraten 
(German roast pork)

Töltött Káposzta 
(Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls over sauerkraut)

Töltött Káposzta 
(Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls over sauerkraut)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

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

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

Semmelknödel 
(German bread dumplings)

Semmelknödel 
(German bread dumplings)

Sauerbraten 
(German marinated beef pot roast)

Sauerbraten 
(German marinated beef pot roast)

Sancocho 
(Latin root vegetable stew)

Sancocho 
(Latin root vegetable stew)

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

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

Pierogi 
(Polish stuffed dumplings)

Pierogi 
(Polish stuffed dumplings)

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