What's in season in December
December and it's the festive season! It brings a traditional bounty of fresh fruit and veg that no classic Christmas would be complete without. Serve Brussels Sprouts and parsnips alongside your turkey, add cranberries to colourful cocktails and perhaps dates to sticky Christmas puddings! Don’t forget to tuck a clementine into the bottom of stockings!
Clementines
Small and sweet, clementines are a hybrid of tangerines and oranges. Easy to peel and exceptionally sweet, there are over 20 varieties of clementine. The fruit will keep in the fridge for up to one week.
Some recipes you may like to try:
Clementine Almond Cake, it's low carb and flourless - more details here
Christmas Salad, it's so colourful and low in carbs too - more details here
Clementine Prosecco Cocktail, it's nice but 13.5g carbs per serving - more details here
Brussels Sprouts
Sprouts have a sweet, nutty flavour, and taste great raw or cooked. Sprouts do cook quickly and can become bitter and mushy when overdone, so do make sure you watch them carefully! Although they should be firm, a sharp knife should still easily slide into the stem. Brussels sprouts are a classic accompaniment to traditional Christmas dinner.
Some recipes you may like to try:
Brussels Sprouts and Hamburger Gratin, it's LCHF - more details here
Brussels Sprouts Christmas Tree, it's a Showstopper - more details here
Brussels Sprouts and Cheddar Cheese Soup, it's so delicious - more details here
Brussels Sprouts and Roasted Celeriac - more details here
Cranberries are harvested in the autumn when the fruit turns deep red in colour – perfect for the festive season. Fresh cranberries are sharp in taste and, if frozen, can be kept for up to nine months.
Some recipes you may like to try:
Fruit Cake, with cranberries, a low carb alternative, could be just right for Christmas - more details here
Cheesecake Cranberry Mousse, it's low carb - more details here
Braised beef with red wine and cranberry - more details here
Sautéed sprouts with almonds and cranberries - more details here
Parsnips have an earthy flavour and were used in Europe as a sweetener before cane sugar arrived in the 1800s. Choose smaller parsnips, as larger ones are likely to be less sweet. They can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Some recipes you may like to try:
Slow-Braised Pork shoulder with Cider and Parsnips, a one pot dish - more details here
Mushroom and parsnip rösti pie - more details here
Parsnip & Cauliflower Soup - more details here
Sweet and sticky dates are a staple of the festive season – while dried dates are available year-round, fresh ones are best from November to January. The deep brown, wrinkled Medjool variety of dates is the sweetest, with a rich toffee-like taste.
Some recipes you may like to try:
Autumn fruit frangipane galette, the lower carb way - more details here
Almond and Orange Biscuits, low carb - more details here
Prosciutto wrapped dates with port and cranberry sauce - more details here
Mine would be the Clementine Almond Cake, and the Parsnip and Cauliflower Soup ...
All the best Jan
30 comments:
sprouts with celeriac sounds delicious, celeriac has such a wonderful flavour but I have only had it in a roast dish served with blue cheese cooked by my sister in law. You have some really interesting recipes here, I will pop back and take a longer look, thanks for sharing and inspiring.
...and the cranberries add a bit of zing!
Only two? I choose the Almond & Orange Biscuits and the Parsnip and Cauliflower Soup:)
Thank you so much for all of the recipes, Jan! Lots of work!!!
My 2 favorites? Cranberries twice!
All things I love! Valerie
Cranberries and Brussels sprouts are both high on my list of goodies I eat in December every year. NOT that horrible cranberry gelatin that comes in a can, but real cranberries cooked by ME. Nicely done, and some great recipes, Jan.
Dear Jan, I love cranberries. I often pick them in a bog not far my summer cottage. I usually cook cranberry compote.
My two favourite from that list are the Brussels sprouts and parsnips so I'd have to choose recipes containing those.
I miss tangerines. Clementines just aren't the same, but I don't see tangerines anywhere and haven't for years :(
Very different here. I am revelling in the fruit which is just coming into season here. Mangoes and stone fruits and berries.
And loving fresh salads too.
I never thought you can eat Brussels Sprouts raw!
Ooh some lovely things here! I love parsnips, and NICE sprouts. I didn't realise they became bitter with overcooking, so definitely something to look out for. Take care, Sue xx
I love all of these!
Iris Flavia said...
I never thought you can eat Brussels Sprouts raw!
Hello Iris, and many thanks for your comment.
Yes, Brussels sprouts can make a great alternative to cabbage or kale in slaws and salads.
For example see this recipe for Sprout salad with citrus & pomegranate
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/sprout-salad-citrus-pomegranate
All the best Jan
Oooh...all of these hit my buttons!xxx
Clemmies and cranberries are two of my favorite things. EVER!
All foods I love. :) I am a big fan of parsnips- so I am curious about the soup! And the recipe with parsnips and mushrooms. Thanks for sharing.
~Jess
Brussels Sprouts are my favorite food. I cook them and eat them raw too. Yummm
Brussels Sprouts one of my new favorites.
I like all the foods on the list today. :-)
It's amazing that you live up there and it's the opposite down here, hence different fruit.
Oh WOW...all my favourites!! Don't you just love this time of year?!😊😊
Have a fabulous day!
Hugs xxx
Jan, I really appreciate having a list like this of things that are in season and what can be done with them. Excellent!
Clementines and dates are at the top for me!
I would like to have Clementine Almond Cake. Happy weekend to you.
mmm - delicious
Sprouts and cranberries.
Aside from dates we will be enjoying all of these foods over the holiday period.
among these dates are common here dear Jan
i love veggies specially that i find in winter
Thanks for all the wonderful 'in season' suggestion ~ ^_^
Happy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thanks for the list Jan!!!
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