Seasonal Cooking for December

**This is our monthly series that aims to help you cook more seasonally (visit the first one, Seasonal Cooking For May, for an introduction and definition of “seasonal”)**
 
I almost forgot about the Seasonal Cooking monthly post amidst all the cookies last week and Christmas things I’ve got planned for this week. Though I suppose cookies are seasonal cooking this time of the year, aren’t they?

As for “real” food, here’s what you’ll find in the stores now that are the best deals because their “season” is winter, as well as frozen food and canned/dried:

Produce in season for December:

• Apples (stored)
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Chard/Kale
• Garlic (stored)
• Lemons
• Lettuce/greens
• Mushrooms
• Onions (stored)
• Oranges
• Parsnips
• Pears
• Pomegranates
• Potatoes (stored)
• Spinach
• Turnips/Rutabagas
• Winter Squash (stored)
• Yams/Sweet Potatoes 

From the freezer and pantry:

• Tomato products (Roasted Tomato Sauce, Addictive Chutney, canned plain tomatoes, seasoned sauce and garden salsa)
• Frozen corn and green beans
• Frozen blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries
• Pickled foods: cucumbers, beans, and asparagus
• Sauces and condiments: Plum sauce, chutneys, jams, etc.
• Oil-packed dried tomatoes
• Chopped sweet peppers
• Dried plums

Recipe Ideas Using Seasonal Foods:

Dijon Chicken Stew with Potatoes and Kale– you’ll be surprised at how good the addition of mustard is in this stew!

Broccoli and Cauliflower Parmesan – this is one of my family’s favorite side dishes and we usually have it at holiday meals.

Baked Grated Carrots – when you need an easy side dish that will surprise everyone with it’s flavor, this simple baked dish is the one.

Slow Cooker Chicken Dinner – a slow cooker meal is a great idea for those days that find you out running errands or doing fun holiday things- wouldn’t it be great to smell this cooking as you’re putting up the tree?

Chocolate Chip Walnut Pie– of course this can be made any time of the year, but it’s our family’s traditional holiday pie, so we will definitely be making this!

What do you like to make in December?

–Jami