Hello, 2023! We can all agree that 2022 was a bit of a crazy year on so many fronts. As we head into the new year, this post has all the information you need about the produce that is in season, and what you can cook with them! So, what's the best January produce?
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Beets
I love beets - they're sweet but pair perfectly with salty and earthy notes (yum, goat cheese, yum!) I love roasting beets and adding them to salad, sometimes I even add them to my smoothies to give it a more sweet and filling flavor.
Organic Meter: 🚫
Though root vegetables that have a thin skin tend to absorb pesticides, beets that are grown for eating (compared to sugar beets, grown for producing sugar) only get a mild spraying of herbicide during the growing season. Hence, it is acceptable to buy inorganic beets.
- Roasted Beet Salad: Shown above, one of my all time favorite salads has arugula with roasted beets, goat cheese and pistachios, drizzled with a light citrus vinaigrette. This salad will convert even the most ardent salad-haters!
- Quick Pickled Beets: Pickled beets are a great topper for so many things - they go great on salads, tacos, or you can just have them as a snack!
- Beet Brownies: I didn't realize that you could make brownies with beet roots, but hey, what's not to like about that?!
Brussels Sprouts
Y'all know I love Brussels sprouts! One of my most recent addictions is to make a green shakshuka with Brussels sprouts, spinach and tomatillos. Absolutely delicious! Of course, you can also make salads, or shred them slaws, or even latkes!
Organic Meter: 🚫
Brussels Sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli all have hardy outer protection that ward off most pests. The most common pest varieties (e.g. diamondback moths, cabbage loopers and maggots) are often managed biologically. Therefore, it is okay to buy inorganic!
- Super Simple Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts: This is a classic and a go-to recipe at home. Simple remove the tips and the exterior leaves, add a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder, place face down on a baking sheet and throw in the oven at 425F for 30 to 40 minutes. You don't even need a recipe for this one!
- Vegan Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad: Delicious shredded Brussels sprouts with pistachios and a vegan Caesar dressing made with tahini, garlic and soy sauce (you can use tamari as well). Super simple, and absolutely delicious.
Cabbage
Cabbage is such a versatile ingredient and doesn't get nearly enough credit! I love using it in a lot of curried dishes (both Indian and African), in slaws, or simply roasted. I've also found that cabbage stays fresh a good amount, so I almost always have some in my fridge during winter months.
Organic Meter: 🚫
Brussels Sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli all have hardy outer protection that ward off most pests. The most common pest varieties (e.g. diamondback moths, cabbage loopers and maggots) are often managed biologically. Therefore, it is okay to buy inorganic, but make sure to remove the outer leaves of the cabbage!
- Atakilt Wat: This Ethiopian cabbage dish is a household staple, and super simple to make. It has cabbage, carrots and potatoes and is simply spiced with turmeric. Super hearty and vegan, and a delicious new dish to try for a quick dinner.
- Asian Slaw: This slaw reminds me of summer - it's made with two different types of cabbage and a peanut butter and sesame dressing that's so refreshing! Perfect accompaniment to any meal (especially heavy winter ones).
- Spicy Cabbage Soup: Spice and cabbage go hand-in-hand in this warm and comforting soup from Gimme Some Oven. It's absolutely delicious and simple to make.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is the OG super star for quick but never boring vegetarian food in my household. I love roasting and ricing it, making dips with it, or even making steaks with it. They're so versatile, and take on so many different flavors, it's hard not to like them.
Organic Meter: 🚫
Brussels Sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli all have hardy outer protection that ward off most pests. The most common pest varieties (e.g. diamondback moths, cabbage loopers and maggots) are often managed biologically. Therefore, it is okay to buy inorganic!
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower: I was inspired by Ottolenghi for this recipe - roasting the cauliflower whole is one of the best ways to enjoy the dish. It produces cauliflower that is so crispy on the outside and so soft on the inside - absolutely delicious!
- Korean Cauliflower Tacos: Cauliflower tacos are absolutely delicious! I love roasting them with Korean gochujang (spicy red bean paste) and adding some avocado, red onions, and corn to balance the flavors. Perfect for Taco Tuesday!
- Cauliflower Rice: For folks who are trying to cut out polished grains, cauliflower rice is a good way to have a filling carb without adding on calories. Check out this cauliflower rice guide from Minimalist Baker to get started with this!
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, tangerine, grapefruits and oranges are some of my favorite fruits for a number of reasons. From baking to juicing and making vinaigrettes, these fruits are so versatile!
Organic Meter: 🚫 / 🟢
Conventional citrus fruits are often heavily sprayed with fungicides, pesticides and herbicides. But luckily, most of this tends to concentrate in the peel and not the fruit itself. I recommend going organic if you can (and especially if you want to use the peel) but inorganic can work (if you're not using the peel).
- Grapefruit / Citrus Fruit Vinaigrette: Here's the thing, vinaigrette is super easy to make: 1 tablespoon of acid or vinegar for 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Use citrus juice to make a killer citrus vinaigrette!
- Simple Citrus Salad: This citrus salad with honey dressing reminds us that you don't need to have greens in salads. The crunch from red onions pairs super well too!
- Mandarin Upside Down Cake: Move over, pineapple! There's a new upside down cake in town (inspired by Southern pig pickin' cake!)
Kale
Kale is one of the new kids on the block, but what a versatile green! You can do everything from make pesto to smoothies, throw it in a nice salad or use it as a topping for pizza. Not to mention kale chips!
Organic Meter: 🟢
I'd give this one two green dots if I could. Kale and collard greens are some of the green leafy vegetables that fare the worst on pesticide residue tests, so please do buy them organic wherever possible. There are different types of kale, but in general, I've found that organic kale is the way to go.
- The Best Kale Salad: This salad is inspired by Il Corvo, one of Seattle's beloved restaurants that shut down during the COVID lockdown. It has olive oil massaged kale with a garlic confit, parsley dressing and topped with Italian cheese. I use Pecorino in the salad that I got from Sardegna, but most Italian pecorino is not vegetarian due to the use of animal rennet. In a pinch, substitute with vegetarian parmesan!
- Vegan kale pesto: One of my favorite uses for kale is to throw it in pesto (especially as it starts to wilt). Blend with cashews, avocado, and garlic for a delicious, creamy sauce!
- Roasted mushroom and kale pizza: This recipe from Half Baked Harvest is an excellent way to add a crazy amount of umami to your meal!
Leeks
Leeks are my favorite January produce! They can be scary and hide dirt in random places. But once you learn how to properly wash and prepare them, they're such a delicious addition to any meal. I love making soups and pastas with them, and they are especially amazing when paired with mushrooms and cream (look at the goodness below!)
Organic Meter: 🚫
Though it might seem counterintuitive, most aromatics like onions and leeks seldom need to be organic (as long as you thoroughly wash them before using). They emit a strong sulphuric smell which naturally keeps pests away, reducing the need for chemicals, so I'd say skip the organic for this one!
- Creamy leek and mushroom pasta: This one pot wonder is light and creamy, with leek and mushrooms, fresh herbs, ricotta, and parmesan. It's ready in just 40 minutes and perfect for a lazy weeknight dinner.
- Grilled greens with chili-garlic sauce: Super simple recipe that tosses up leeks and collard greens with a hit of spicy garlic goodness!
- Traditional leek soup: Of course, one cannot really talk about leeks without talking about a delicious, creamy leek soup, so here you go!
Onions
I debated about whether I should include onions in here, you know? I use onions in almost everything I cook, but there is a right season for onions too (though they're available year-round in most places). My favorite? Puree it with peppers and make jollof rice!
Organic Meter: 🚫
Like leeks, onions don't need to be organic (as long as you thoroughly wash them before using). They emit a strong sulphuric smell which naturally keeps pests away, reducing the need for chemicals, so I'd say skip the organic for this one!
- Quick pickled red onions: Pickling red onions is a trick that I didn't know about until last year, but it makes for an excellent topper (much like beets!)
- Blooming onions: I'd never heard about this until last year, and now I'm basically hooked - you cut the onion and bread it in a way that it opens like a flower. Noms.
- Creamy French onion pasta bake: Okay, seriously, if you love French onion soup, you'll absolutely devour this pasta bake. It's so delicious and one pot, and super easy!
Potatoes
Potatoes are probably the universal fan favorite among vegetables, especially since there's so many ways to eat them - mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes, fries, curries, the list is totally endless! I love making these crispy, garlicky smashed potatoes!
Organic Meter: 🟢
Surprisingly, potatoes (especially Russets) are notorious for retaining chemicals (since they're often grown on heavily fumigated soil). Try to buy only organic potatoes as much as possible.
- Indian samosas: Okay, I bet you weren't expecting this here but holy smokes, they're so easy to make! Six ingredients, vegan, and pop into the oven or air fryer. Delicious!
- Creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes: These are delicious, fluffy and the perfect make-ahead, no-stress side. They are super easy to prepare, even for a single serving, and so comforting you’ll want to finish the whole thing off.
- Bombay potatoes: These are cumin-spiced Indian style potatoes that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect side dish for hot naan or rice!
Winter Squash
Winter squash comes in all shapes and sizes - butternut squash, sphagetti squash, acorn squash and honeynut squashes. I love them all equally! Squash has such a filling but naturally sweet flavor and pairs well with so many amazing items.
Organic Meter: 🚫
Squashes (including pumpkins) are so hardy (I mean, seriously, just lift one up, right?) As a result, if the right growing conditions are present, these vegetables don't need much insect or pest management. I prefer buying organic squash since they're not waxy, but you can buy inorganic - just make sure to not eat the skin!
- Stuffed acorn squash: I love making stuffed squash - I basically roast the squash first, then add mushrooms and walnuts to give it a meaty filling, and devour it pronto!
- Thai curried butternut squash soup: This vegan, creamy, delicious soup is one of my favorite Fall weather dishes. Made with coconut milk and roasted butternut squash, it packs a punch of flavors and is garnished with roasted squash seeds too!
- Butternut squash noodles: The OG veggie noodle crew will recognize that squash noodles are awesome low-carb noodle options!
Sweet Potatoes
Honestly, I am not a huge fan of sweet potatoes (especially mashed sweet potatoes) but I am starting to slowly get used to sweet potato toast and sweet potato fries.
Organic Meter: 🚫
Sweet potatoes do not require a ton of chemicals since farming practices and biological controls are often used and work quite well. So, no need to go organic!
- Roasted sweet potato slices (aka sweet potato toast): I've really come to love sweet potato toast as a no frills, low carb toast option in lieu of bread (peel, slice and roast in the oven at 400F) Top it up with avocados or bananas and peanut butter!
- Hearty sweet potato salad: This salad from Cookie & Kate has wild rice, arugula and a ginger dressing and comes together quite easily.
- Vegan sweet potato pancakes: This pancake recipe from (aptly named) Sweet Potato Soul is super simple to make and delicious!
Turnips
My mom used to make a lot of turnip dishes growing up, but I'm still learning how to incorporate them into our seasonal rotation! Larger turnips tend to be more intense, and I definitely recommend cooking them to bring out the flavors.
Organic Meter: 🚫
Turnips are an underground crop and quite similar to sweet potatoes in that they do not require a ton of chemicals since farming practices and biological controls are often used and work quite well. So, no need to go organic!
- Turnip Kootu: This was one of the most common ways in which my grandmother would make turnips at home. Kootu is a traditional Tamil coconut stew that is absolutely hearty and delicious!
- Parmesan crusted turnips: Often, the simplest dishes are the best and this recipe is no exception. It uses super simple ingredients and is absolutely delicious!
- Pan-fried turnips: Again, another example of a super simple dish. Pan frying turnips brings out some amazing flavors that are absolutely delightful!
Did you make these recipes?! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Please leave a comment and a star rating and let me know how it went! We love hearing from you, thank you so much
Thank you for putting this together. Its helping me with meal planning.
Beets & acorn squash are two of my favorites!!!! I can't wait to try some new ideas - especially the roasted cauliflower. Might try that in my air fryer!
Love this list and I have bookmarked it so I can cook my way through it!
So many great recipe ideas. Thanks for including turnips - I just love them and they are often overlooked - roasting them is my favorite way to prepare but will be checking out the Parmesan Crusted idea.
what agreta guide! i love using seasonal ingredients in my cooking!
This is such an informative guide! I love how detailed you are with the recipe suggestions also. This saves being overwhelmed at the shops with everything there right in front of you! Thanks and happy 2021!