What’s in Season – January Produce and Recipes
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Hearty root vegetables, tangy citrus fruits, and nourishing brassicas are in season in January. So get ready to warm up this winter with some delicious recipes!
As the winter weather settles in, it’s the perfect time to turn to the abundance of fresh and flavorful January produce. From root vegetables to leafy greens, to tangy citrus fruits, there is plenty to choose from. Whether you’re looking to roast, braise, or sauté, there’s no shortage of in-season ingredients to inspire your weeknight dinners in the new year.
What produce is in season in January
Citrus
Grapefruit, oranges, clementines, tangerines, and lemons are abundant at the local farmer’s markets and you can also easily find them in grocery stores. Plus, citrus fruit is a good source of vitamin C and other nutrients. Enjoy as a snack, use in cooking and baking to add flavor and zest, or add to salads, marinades, and desserts for extra flavor. Why not try these lemon ginger energy shots?
Brassica vegetables
Brassica vegetables like kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard greens, and Swiss chard are the main produce in season in January. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and are a good source of dietary fiber. You can enjoy them raw or cooked in a variety of dishes.
Easily add kale to salads or use it in smoothies – like in this blueberry smoothie. Plus, you can also use collard greens, spinach, beet greens, and others in place of kale in a lot of recipes. You can also make this healthy snack kale chips.
Cauliflower is great when roasted – switch up the seasoning and you will never get tired of it. Serve it as whole roasted cauliflower head, or Buffalo cauliflower wings. You can also make a nutritious soup or these grilled cauliflower steaks:
Swiss chard is perfect for lentil soup with chard, stuffed chard rolls, and also sauteed on the pan. Brussel sprouts are easy to prepare and delicious when served roasted. And cabbage can be enjoyed raw, cooked, boiled, or pickled. Plus, you can make nutritious coleslaw or salads like this raw cabbage salad. Here is my favorite recipe for boiled cabbage:
Winter squash
There are different types of winter squash, including butternut squash, acorn squash, kabocha, buttercup, and others. They are usually harvested in the late fall so they are in abundance in the winter. Plus, their sweet nutty flavor is perfect for various recipes like soups, stews, pasta dishes, baked goods, and more.
For example, you can enjoy butternut squash roasted, baked, boiled, and sautéed. Make delicious stuffed butternut squash or pizza crust. Or why not try this warmnig soup?
Root vegetables
In January, enjoy carrots, celery root, beetroot, parsnips, turnips, yams, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and are a good source of dietary fiber. Enjoy them raw or cooked in a variety of recipes.
Carrots are versatile and popular for carrot soup or roasted carrots. Enjoy them as a dip, simple salad, or juice. Also, their crunchy texture and sweet, earthy flavor are perfect for making overnight oats and carrot cake. And I love this refreshing carrot salad.
Celery root, parsnips, and turnips are all in season in January. Plus, they are all great in soups, stews (like beef stew), and purees. You can also enjoy them raw in salads, roasted, or even fry them. And of course, celery makes a great detox juice.
Beetroot (beets) can be eaten raw or cooked. Enjoy them in a salad, make fresh juice, use them in soups and stews, or roast them alongside other vegetables. Plus, you can make beet hummus, pink pasta, or even enjoy them as a snack in the form of these beetroot chips:
Yams, sweet potatoes, and potatoes can be prepared in tons of ways. You can enjoy them in salads or as a nutritious breakfast. Plus, you can boil them, mash them, roast them, bake them, or make a casserole. And you can make fries, au gratin, soup, or even potato flatbread. Why not start with this easy baked sweet potato recipe?
Others
Pomegranates are great for adding flavor and nutrition to salads, desserts, and other dishes. Plus, they make a great addition to homemade kombucha.
Enjoy kiwis fresh as a snack or add them to salads, smoothies, etc. Make a simple kiwi juice, add slices to fruit and yogurt parfait, or make a kiwi Tanghulu. Pears are great fresh or add them to pies, tarts, compots, or even salads.
Leeks are delicious in soups, stews, and other recipes. Plus you can also grill and roast them.
If you enjoyed this seasonal produce guide or tried any of these recipes, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
