We created this guide to help you pick regeneratively-grown produce naturally aligned with the winter months—all tastier, more nutritious, and easier on your wallet.
Root Vegetables
Carrots – Beets – Turnips – Parsnips – Radishes – Yams
Known as the fruits of the earth, root vegetables are low in calories and high in antioxidants. Roasted, fried, boiled, or mashed—the options are almost endless to add extra flavor and nutrition to a hearty winter meal.
Winter Squash + Storage Staples
Squash – pumpkins – potatoes
Winter squash and storage staples are a pantry hack, lasting months at a time. To keep them fresh, leave 1 to 3 inches of stem on the squash and store them in a cool, dry area at 50-60 °F.
Helen’s Cozy Butternut Squash Soup
You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 (14 1/2-ounce) cans low-salt chicken broth
- 4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled butternut squash, about 1 1/2 pounds
- 4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled acorn squash, about 1 1/2 pounds
- 1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
- 1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh sage
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 cup whipping cream
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 10 minutes.
- Pour in the broth. Add the butternut squash, acorn squash, thyme, sage, cumin, and ginger. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the squash is very tender.
- Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until smooth. If using a standard blender, work in batches and blend carefully. Return the soup to the pot.
- Stir in the cream and bring back to a light simmer. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Serve warm with crusty bread, toasted pumpkin seeds, or a drizzle of olive oil.
Cold-Weather Warriors
Brussel Sprouts – cabbage – cauliflower – broccoli – kale – collard greens
Research findings have indicated cold-hardy vegetables often grow sweeter after a light frost. Rich in fiber and vitamins, they thrive in winter conditions and help strengthen you through the cold season.
Research shows fruits and veggies harvested in season are able to ripen naturally, leading to higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Leafy Greens
spinach – arugula – mustard greens
According to the National Institute of Health, only about 1 in 5 Americans eat a daily salad. Research has shown that eating leafy greens is associated with a reduced risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Alliums
onions – garlic – leeks – shallots
Alliums go way back to the Roman Empire as one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants. They are garden favorites, simultaneously attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies while deterring pests with their potent scent.
Season of the Citrus
oranges – grapefruits – lemons – limes
Oranges were once a status symbol found as stocking gifts. According to the National Institute of Health, citrus fruits are packed with vitamins and are key to a healthy immune system.
Citrus is estimated to be at its sweetest in winter because cold nights slow down the breakdown of sugars.
Other Winter Fruits
apples – bananas – pears – pomegranates – kiwis – avocados
Winter fruits are great sources of vitamin C, fiber, and magnesium. Many fruits are able to grow year-round in tropical regions, while the dead of winter can limit accessibility for fruit grown in North America.
- Use our Regenerative Farm Map to find your local farmers producing seasonal fruits and veggies!
- Look for Regenerative Certifications at the grocery store to support soil and animal health.
- What’s in season can vary by region. Check out this seasonal food guide and your local farmers market to see what grows near you.
This resource is brought to you by Kokora, a proud Partner of Kiss the Ground.
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