One of the best pieces of advice that any cook can take to heart is to make good use of what’s available to them. That means looking at what is seasonally more available at this time of the year. While spring and summer might have a rich bounty of options to select from, don’t underestimate what winter brings around, as well. Here, we’re going to look at some of the often-overlooked favorites from winter stalls, and how you can better incorporate them in your meals.
Citrus Fruits
Believe it or not, winter is actually the best season for citrus fruits. Options like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are a lot fresher in the cold, bringing a bright and tangy taste that helps you get away from the hearty and savory flavors that tend to dominate the season. Of course, with a recipe like citrus and sweet potato-crusted haddock, you can use them to heighten meals that are warm, hearty, and filling at the same time. Citrus flavors typically go well with all kinds of seafood as well, which works well with our next recommendation.
Snow Crab
If you want to feel a little more luxurious, then what better than a fine serving of crab legs or some fried crab claws? The colder months of the year are prime snow crab season, as their name implies. With a delicate and sweet flavor, alongside some truly tender meat, these are very popular for dinner parties and other celebratory events but there’s nothing to stop you from enjoying them as part of a regular dinner, either. They’re super simple to prepare, they just need to be steamed or boiled and then can be served with melted butter and a squeeze of that fresh lemon.
Root Vegetables
There’s a good reason that we tend to prefer earthy and hearty flavors in the winter. Not only is it a great way to feel full and warm, away from the cold, but root vegetables also tend to thrive during this time of the year. Carrots, parsnips, and turnips are just some of the options that are both a substantial addition to any meal as well as being dense with nutrients. These can work with all kinds of mains when roasted, bringing out their natural sweetness, and most can be mashed for a lighter and tasty alternative to mashed potatoes, as well.
Winter Greens
If you’re looking for a touch of green freshness to any meal, then you should get to know your winter greens like kale, Swiss chard, and collard greens. These are at their best in winter, hence their name, and can bring just a light touch of bitterness to meals, helping you bring some variety of your hearty favorites without having to always rely on notes of citrus. A good winter salad, incorporating kale, roasted square, and pomegranate seeds can be the perfect light meal for those sick of dense potatoes and rich meats.
Apples and Pears
Whether you want to make sure that your fruit bowl doesn’t go empty except for lemons, or you’re looking for some options better suited for dessert, apples, and pears tend to be the fruit of the season. While they’re often associated with autumn, these fruits do have a particularly long shelf life so you’re likely to catch them still nice and fresh when the colder months sent in. Aside from being used in all kinds of pies, crumbles, strudels, and other desserts, these also work well as a sauce or glaze for duck or pork.
Scallops
Another seafood winter delicacy, these little morsels or marine brilliance are relatively easy to prepare, but they still add a touch of luxury and sophistication to a meal that can make them a popular dinner party treat. Searing your scallops in butter is the perfect way to create a caramelized crust that contrasts their chewy, soft texture well. They can be paired with an in-season citrus glaze, the acidic touch cutting across the fatty and briny tastes quite well. They can also be incorporated into creamy risottos, seafood pastas, or even served raw as part of a delicate crudo.
In-season ingredients tend to make for the freshest and most flavorful additions to any meal. The next time you want to create an impressive main for a dinner party or simply want to treat yourself to the best that’s currently around, then you should consider some of the seasonal options mentioned above. Adapting your meals to the seasons is going to make you a better cook and result in tastier dishes.
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