Vegetables and fruit can easily be incorporated into daily mealtimes in the summer months, since everything seems readily available, blossoming and just ripe enough to pick. Fall then sets in, and another crop of fruit ripens, plus others that weren't previously available.



After the harvest, in rolls winter, with it's freezing winds and cold atmosphere. Any greenery becomes brown and seemingly lifeless. Normal fruit and vegetables are nowhere to be found, and what is around at this time of year, hardly seems appealing. So, the question is, what fruits are available in the cold season, and what is the best way to prepare and eat such varieties?

Fresh fruits that are available in the winter season include pears, bananas, cranberries, Clementine oranges, oranges, tangerines, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, passion fruit, and pomegranate are also available. A list of winter vegetables include winter squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, watercress, rhubarb, snow peas, radishes, celery, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, avocado, artichokes, broccoli, and lettuce.

It may take a little effort, but the end result is worthwhile. Begin your search at the supermarket, and if you can't find what you need there, try specialist food shops and local farmers markets. You may even consider growing your own vegetables, and harvesting the impressive results when the season arises. A winter garden can be grown and cultivated indoors or out. More information about this will be available from the local library, or do a quick search on the internet.

Ideas for cooking with winter vegetables: Soups and salads are great comfort foods in the wintertime. Letting a pot full of winter veggies simmer throughout the afternoon fills your home with a yummy aroma, helping you welcome the cold air outside. Use some avocadoes to make homemade guacamole. Cabbage leaves can be used as a shell for wraps, stuffed with hot filling. Sweet potatoes can be topped with a mixture of pecans and brown sugar for a sweet treat.

Here's some ideas for the preparation of winter fruits: Salad is a nice compliment with any meal. Add a little extra zing, by throwing in some orange segments or grapes with lettuce. Or maybe have yourself a winter fruit salad, removing any vegetables. For an exciting taste, add a little orange zest to freshly prepared cranberry sauce, and serve with poultry. Passion fruit mixes well with kiwi, mix and serve with plain vanilla ice cream for a dreamy taste, or serve pears gently warmed with a dash of cinnamon.

This goes to show that no matter where you are, fresh produce is usually in plentiful supply. Roll your sleeves up and get to work, thinking of other fabulous recipes you can invent, to ensure yourself and your family eat well in these winter months.