Even in the coldest winter, there’s a variety of produce available at your local farmer’s market. While you’re working through canned produce from previous season’s bounties, keep these fresh finds in mind to incorporate into your winter dishes.
It’s common knowledge that hardy cruciferous plants, such as broccoli, thrive during the winter months. Broccoli is able to sustain growth in temperatures as low as twenty-five degrees, which makes it an ideal crop for colder seasons in the Gulf Coast and Deep South. Among the most nutritious of vegetables, it is rich in antioxidants and beneficial for eye health, heart health, and disease prevention. With soup season in full swing, why not try TLP’s Broccoli Soup recipe as the first frost glazes your lawn this winter? This rich, creamy soup can be made with relatively few ingredients (it calls for two pounds of freshly chopped broccoli) and minimal hassle. Pro tip: for a spicier take on this soup to open up the sinuses, sprinkle in some Olde Virden’s Spicy Verde seasoning.
Florida’s state fruit is the orange, state drink is orange juice, and state flower is the orange blossom. With a plethora of Florida farmers dedicated to orange production and the state’s subtropic weather, Florida holds ideal conditions for the sweetest, juiciest citrus in the states. While Florida oranges are plentiful during the fall, the largest quantities are harvested beginning in December. Wondering what to do with your oranges this winter? If you’re enjoying some libations on a snowy day, add a fresh orange twist and Woodster’s Smoked Orange Bitters to your Old Fashioned for a spicy, warming sipper. Or try this mulled wine recipe incorporating orange cherry sugar cubes from our friends at Storied Goods, which calls for one orange sliced into rounds, and promises to “envelop your home in a warm, inviting aroma.” Perfect for the holidays!
Collard greens, the state vegetable of South Carolina, are a staple in every Southern cookbook. Since collards are a cool-weather crop, they are usually planted in late summer or early fall for a winter harvest. A member of the same family as cabbage and kale, these leafy greens offer excellent nutritional value and are chock full of Vitamin C, calcium, and fiber. If you’re looking for some good luck in the New Year, dig into a Hoppin’ John Salad, which combines black-eyed peas, pork belly, Carolina Gold Rice, and one bunch of collards, ribs removed and sliced into ¼ inch strips. This delicious winter salad is topped with a sweet and tart vinaigrette that features apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, and AR’s Lotta Honey Little Heat.
