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.

Rumtopf 
(German rum-soaked fruit dessert)

Rumtopf 
(German rum-soaked fruit dessert)

Toshikoshi Soba 
(Japanese New Year soba noodles)

Toshikoshi Soba 
(Japanese New Year soba noodles)

Blaukraut 
(German braised red cabbage)

Blaukraut 
(German braised red cabbage)

Spaghetti and Meatballs 
(American pasta with meatballs)

Spaghetti and Meatballs 
(American pasta with meatballs)

Ghapama 
(Armenian rice-stuffed and baked whole pumpkin)

Ghapama 
(Armenian rice-stuffed and baked whole pumpkin)

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)

Shuan Yang Rou 
(Chinese Mongolian hotpot)

Shuan Yang Rou 
(Chinese Mongolian hotpot)

Sorrel Punch 
(Jamaican hibiscus flower beverage)

Sorrel Punch 
(Jamaican hibiscus flower beverage)

Kugelis 
(Lithuanian savory potato pudding)

Kugelis 
(Lithuanian savory potato pudding)

Puchero 
(Spanish meat and chickpea stew)

Puchero 
(Spanish meat and chickpea stew)

Apfelmus 
(German applesauce)

Apfelmus 
(German applesauce)

Ragù Bolognese 
(Italian tomato-meat sauce)

Ragù Bolognese 
(Italian tomato-meat sauce)

Torta di Mele 
(Italian apple torte)

Torta di Mele 
(Italian apple torte)

Galbi Jjim 
(Korean braised beef short ribs)

Galbi Jjim 
(Korean braised beef short ribs)

Poule au Pot 
(French chicken in a pot)

Poule au Pot 
(French chicken in a pot)

Khoresht-e Aloo 
(Persian lamb stewed with prunes)

Khoresht-e Aloo 
(Persian lamb stewed with prunes)

Schweinebraten 
(German roast pork)

Schweinebraten 
(German roast pork)

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

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

Locro 
(Ecuadoran, Peruvian potato-cheese soup)

Locro 
(Ecuadoran, Peruvian potato-cheese soup)

Zuppa di Lenticchie 
(Italian lentil soup)

Zuppa di Lenticchie 
(Italian lentil soup)

Fondue 
(Swiss melted cheese dish)

Fondue 
(Swiss melted cheese dish)

Dušené Zelí 
(Czech braised cabbage)

Dušené Zelí 
(Czech braised cabbage)

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

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

Erdélyi Rakott Káposzta 
(Hungarian pork and sauerkraut casserole)

Erdélyi Rakott Káposzta 
(Hungarian pork and sauerkraut casserole)

Panforte 
(Italian Christmas honey fruitcake)

Panforte 
(Italian Christmas honey fruitcake)

Southern Greens 
(American Southern-Soul simmered leafy greens)

Southern Greens 
(American Southern-Soul simmered leafy greens)

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

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

Roast Prime Rib 
(English roast rib of beef)

Roast Prime Rib 
(English roast rib of beef)

Irish Stew 
(Irish lamb and potato stew)

Irish Stew 
(Irish lamb and potato stew)

Ash-e Jow 
(Persian barley bean soup)

Ash-e Jow 
(Persian barley bean soup)

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

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

Minestra de Ceci 
(Italian chickpea and pasta soup)

Minestra de Ceci 
(Italian chickpea and pasta soup)

Borshch 
(Ukrainian beet soup)

Borshch 
(Ukrainian beet soup)

Pasteles 
(Puerto Rican savory cakes in banana leaves)

Pasteles 
(Puerto Rican savory cakes in banana leaves)

New England Clam Chowder 
(American clam and potato stew)

New England Clam Chowder 
(American clam and potato stew)

Stekt Gås 
(Swedish roast Christmas goose with pan gravy)

Stekt Gås 
(Swedish roast Christmas goose with pan gravy)

Pavo Salvadoreño 
(Salvadoran roast turkey with sauce)

Pavo Salvadoreño 
(Salvadoran roast turkey with sauce)

Aquavit 
(Swedish herb-infused vodka)

Aquavit 
(Swedish herb-infused vodka)

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

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

Töltött Káposzta 
(Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls over sauerkraut)

Töltött Káposzta 
(Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls over sauerkraut)

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

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

Latkes 
(Israeli Jewish potato pancakes)

Latkes 
(Israeli Jewish potato pancakes)

Coquito 
(Puerto Rican coconut-rum beverage)

Coquito 
(Puerto Rican coconut-rum beverage)

Paprikás Csirke 
(Hungarian chicken paprikash)

Paprikás Csirke 
(Hungarian chicken paprikash)

Fesenjan 
(Persian chicken in pomegranate-walnut sauce)

Fesenjan 
(Persian chicken in pomegranate-walnut sauce)

Boston Baked Beans 
(American white beans baked with molasses)

Boston Baked Beans 
(American white beans baked with molasses)

Linzertorte 
(Austrian jam tart)

Linzertorte 
(Austrian jam tart)

Oyster Stew 
(American shellfish stew)

Oyster Stew 
(American shellfish stew)

Apple Fritters 
(Jewish batter-fried apple rings)

Apple Fritters 
(Jewish batter-fried apple rings)

Dong Gu Dofu 
(Chinese braised tofu with mushrooms)

Dong Gu Dofu 
(Chinese braised tofu with mushrooms)

Mulled Wine 
(English spiced wine)

Mulled Wine 
(English spiced wine)

Inlagda Rödbetor 
(Swedish pickled beets)

Inlagda Rödbetor 
(Swedish pickled beets)

Cranberry Pudding 
(American steamed Christmas pudding)

Cranberry Pudding 
(American steamed Christmas pudding)

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

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

Oysters Rockefeller 
(American oysters with green sauce appetizer)

Oysters Rockefeller 
(American oysters with green sauce appetizer)

Sopa de Ajo 
(Spanish garlic and bread soup)

Sopa de Ajo 
(Spanish garlic and bread soup)

Shchi 
(Russian cabbage soup)

Shchi 
(Russian cabbage soup)

Gingerbread Men 
(English spiced Christmas cookies)

Gingerbread Men 
(English spiced Christmas cookies)

Hong Shao Rou 
(Chinese red-cooked pork)

Hong Shao Rou 
(Chinese red-cooked pork)

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

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

Kålpudding 
(Swedish caramelized cabbage meatloaf)

Kålpudding 
(Swedish caramelized cabbage meatloaf)

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

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

Bográcsgulyás 
(Hungarian beef and pepper stew)

Bográcsgulyás 
(Hungarian beef and pepper stew)

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

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

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

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

Sufganiyot 
(Israeli Jewish filled donuts)

Sufganiyot 
(Israeli Jewish filled donuts)

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

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

Tourtière 
(French Canadian pork pie)

Tourtière 
(French Canadian pork pie)

Chicken Pot Pie 
(American savory chicken stew in pastry)

Chicken Pot Pie 
(American savory chicken stew in pastry)

Crêpes Suzette 
(French thin pancakes with orange sauce)

Crêpes Suzette 
(French thin pancakes with orange sauce)

Lanttulaatikko 
(Finnish mashed rutabaga casserole)

Lanttulaatikko 
(Finnish mashed rutabaga casserole)

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

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

Eggnog 
(American egg and cream Christmas beverage)

Eggnog 
(American egg and cream Christmas beverage)

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)

Dresdner Stollen 
(German Christmas fruitcake)

Dresdner Stollen 
(German Christmas fruitcake)

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

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

Fabada Asturiana 
(Spanish sausage and bean stew)

Fabada Asturiana 
(Spanish sausage and bean stew)

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

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

Law Bok Gow 
(Chinese steamed radish cake)

Law Bok Gow 
(Chinese steamed radish cake)

Limoncello 
(Italian lemon-flavored liqueur)

Limoncello 
(Italian lemon-flavored liqueur)

Coq au Vin 
(French chicken braised in wine)

Coq au Vin 
(French chicken braised in wine)

Pierogi 
(Polish stuffed dumplings)

Pierogi 
(Polish stuffed dumplings)

Lefse 
(Norwegian potato flatbread)

Lefse 
(Norwegian potato flatbread)

Tire sur la Neige 
(Canadian maple syrup taffy)

Tire sur la Neige 
(Canadian maple syrup taffy)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

Brasato al Chianti 
(Italian beef braised in red wine)

Brasato al Chianti 
(Italian beef braised in red wine)

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)

Yorkshire Pudding 
(English savory puff pudding)

Yorkshire Pudding 
(English savory puff pudding)

Kotmis Satsivi 
(Georgian chicken with walnut sauce)

Kotmis Satsivi 
(Georgian chicken with walnut sauce)

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

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

Hasenpfeffer 
(German stewed rabbit)

Hasenpfeffer 
(German stewed rabbit)

Köttbullar med Gräddsås 
(Swedish meatballs with cream sauce)

Köttbullar med Gräddsås 
(Swedish meatballs with cream sauce)

Semmelknödel 
(German bread dumplings)

Semmelknödel 
(German bread dumplings)

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)

Gratin Dauphinois 
(French potatoes baked with cream)

Gratin Dauphinois 
(French potatoes baked with cream)

Gołąbki 
(Polish, stuffed cabbage rolls)

Gołąbki 
(Polish, stuffed cabbage rolls)

Sancocho 
(Latin root vegetable stew)

Sancocho 
(Latin root vegetable stew)

Ärtsoppa 
(Swedish yellow pea soup)

Ärtsoppa 
(Swedish yellow pea soup)

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