So here it is. Merry Christmas. Everybody’s eating food. And though the food at this time of year tends to be (let’s face it) less fruit and veg and more. . . well, chocolate and sweets. We still need to get in that five a day.
So, with that said, we’ll go ahead and complete this year’s series on seasonal foods by bringing you some of December’s best produce.
Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!
Brussels sprouts
We can’t not mention brussels on a December seasonal foods list, can we? These divisive green wonders are a Christmas dinner staple and, love them or loathe them, they are of course in season at the moment.
Recipe idea: sizzled sprouts with pistachios and pomegranate.
Clementines
Another Christmassy classic. Sweet and tangy, clementines bring a wonderful touch of colour and vibrancy to the colder months. They’re versatile, too. So you can use them in all sorts of recipes, from cheesecakes to salads (or just eat them on their own, of course).
Recipes ideas: clementine posset (substitute shortbread for gluten-free version), clementine cake.
Leeks
For leek and potato soup alone, it deserves a mention on our list. Leeks are currently in season, and we think they’re just lovely. From soups to
Recipe ideas: gluten-free quiche, leek and potato soup.
Swede
To be honest, it’s not often you hear people talking about swede… but in any case this is a lovely, delicious, and versatile veg, and it definitely deserves some love and attention (at least at this time of year). Roast it as is, cook it into a soup, or pop it in your mash. A little bit of swede really does go a long way!
Recipe ideas: swede and carrot mash, creamy swede soup.
Red Cabbage
Another winner for Christmas dinner. If nothing else, it’s worth cooking up some red cabbage just for the wonderfully vibrant colour it brings to the table. A classic accompaniment to a festive meal!
Recipe idea: braised red cabbage with apple.
Mince Pies
OK, we’re cheating. But in our defence, although you can’t grow mince pies in the garden, they are, technically, in season right now. . . So we thought, why not!
You don’t need any recipes for this one. It’s just the choice between hot and cold, with our without cream — but we’ll leave that debate to you.
Happy eating and Merry Christmas!
Eating seasonal
For more information on seasonal eating, you can take a look at these fantastic resources: Eat The Seasons (a wonderfully simple website with week-to-week updates on what’s in season in the uk), and Eat Seasonably (another simple and informative resource, featuring a brilliant seasonal food wheel).