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Wednesday 4 December 2019

Some Foods In Season During December


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
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
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

Dates
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

I wonder what would be your favourite two from the above?
Mine would be the Clementine Almond Cake, and the Parsnip and Cauliflower Soup ...


Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles, studies etc. plus recent news/views and recipe ideas within this blog, we hope something for everyone to read and enjoy ... but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. Not all of the suggested recipes above are low carb. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

30 comments:

Elderberry-Rob said...

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.

Tom said...

...and the cranberries add a bit of zing!

Chris Lally said...

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!!!

Sandi said...

My 2 favorites? Cranberries twice!

Valerie-Jael said...

All things I love! Valerie

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

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.

Nadezda said...

Dear Jan, I love cranberries. I often pick them in a bog not far my summer cottage. I usually cook cranberry compote.

Jo said...

My two favourite from that list are the Brussels sprouts and parsnips so I'd have to choose recipes containing those.

Divers and Sundry said...

I miss tangerines. Clementines just aren't the same, but I don't see tangerines anywhere and haven't for years :(

Elephant's Child said...

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.

Iris Flavia said...

I never thought you can eat Brussels Sprouts raw!

Sue said...

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

Christine said...

I love all of these!

Lowcarb team member said...

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

Snowbird said...

Oooh...all of these hit my buttons!xxx

Jeanie said...

Clemmies and cranberries are two of my favorite things. EVER!

DMS said...

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

DVArtist said...

Brussels Sprouts are my favorite food. I cook them and eat them raw too. Yummm

Carla from The River said...

Brussels Sprouts one of my new favorites.
I like all the foods on the list today. :-)

Margaret D said...

It's amazing that you live up there and it's the opposite down here, hence different fruit.

Ygraine said...

Oh WOW...all my favourites!! Don't you just love this time of year?!😊😊

Have a fabulous day!

Hugs xxx

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jan, I really appreciate having a list like this of things that are in season and what can be done with them. Excellent!

Martha said...

Clementines and dates are at the top for me!

roughterrain crane said...

I would like to have Clementine Almond Cake. Happy weekend to you.

Lady Fi said...

mmm - delicious

William Kendall said...

Sprouts and cranberries.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Aside from dates we will be enjoying all of these foods over the holiday period.

baili said...

among these dates are common here dear Jan

i love veggies specially that i find in winter

carol l mckenna said...

Thanks for all the wonderful 'in season' suggestion ~ ^_^

Happy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Magic Love Crow said...

Thanks for the list Jan!!!