Winter Season Foods

Since the winter is here do you think eating locally needs to stop during this time of year? Definitely not so! Cold weather crops, the use of hoop houses and other methods to extend the natural growing season, and old storage bins for vegetables like cabbages and potatoes all mean that there are plenty of winter fruits and vegetables to choose from in most of the country. Look for the winter fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and in produce departments for the best flavor (and greatest value) in season. Specific crops and harvest dates will depend on your region’s climate and most of these are only available locally in temperate regions.

What types of fruits and vegetables are good to eat during the winter season? They are cabbage, celery, pears, carrots, spinach, brussels sprouts, parsnips, cauliflower, broccoli, grapefruit, sweet potatoes and yams, onions and leeks, potatoes, winter squash, mushrooms, pears and turnips.

If you want to extend your winter gardening season then use a hoop gardern. In recognition to our First Lady Michelle Obama here is a video that explains about hoop gardening in the northern regions . Click here .

So the next time you go food shopping, stop by your local farms market and purchase your winter season foods. Check out the seasonal cooking recipe Parsnips and Carrots with Orange Butter below.

Parsnips and Carrots with Orange Butter

Serves 2.

Ingredients:

½ cup water

½ teaspoon salt

½ pound parsnips, peeled; halved lengthwise, and cut crosswise into ¼ -inch -thick pieces

½ pound carrots, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into ¼ -inch -thick pieces

⅓ cup fresh orange juice, about 1 orange

1 Tablespoon butter

Directions:

1. In a skillet , combine the water, parsnips, carrots, and salt. Cover skillet and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Remove lid and cook until liquid evaporates.

2. Add orange juice and the butter, stirring until the butter is melted.

Contributors:

Alice Henneman, Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Billene Nemec, Buy Fresh, Buy Local Nebraska, University of Nebraska -Lincoln

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