What is Good to Eat in December
Turkey not included…
Despite this being the worst month of the year for me all is not lost on the food front. Even though there is a distinct lack of daylight hours there are still plenty of seasonal foods to grow and eat.
One of my favourite vegetables at this time of year is salsify, a long root which, once peeled, reveals a brilliant white flesh with a creamy, subtle taste. It can be roasted or pureed and works brilliantly with game and seafood.
The one good aspect of the winter months is their ability to ‘hold’ food in their growing position without losing much in the way of quality. Parsnips and celeriac are particularly good at this, as are crunchy winter lettuces and endives.
Cabbages are in full swing and there is little to beat chunks of swede roasted with honey or cooked in a rich lamb stew. For something a little different try Jerusalam artichokes, kale or chicory. Especially good are the large French pumpkins with their strikingly coloured flesh.
There isn’t much to be gleaned from the wild larder, mushrooms are hit and miss and for the chef hard to buy for less than £30 per kilo. Game is still good and I am giving serious consideration as to eating some for my Christmas Day dinner.
From the sea there are still decent catches of crab, mussels, oysters and sea trout and cheaper fish such as colley and whiting.
December and January are the months when the freezer should be emptied of the fruits of your summer labour. Excess beans, sweetcorn and peas help to ease the weeks of root vegetables and you’ll be glad you did it. Dried chillies, bottled tomatoes, frozen fruits and chutneys all help to brighten up the winter plate.
Miles,
I would agree with you that the kale is very good at present, as are all the cabbages including the red ones. I find chicory a little bitter personally and tend to go off salads during the winter. I still use tomatoes but like them warm in various forms.
December 5, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
Miles,
I watched Heston last night and got lost along the way. All I can say is that it was interesting from a scientific/theatrical point of view and testing the affects of chilli found that yes they are hot and you might sweat! Unless I was trying to beat the plague with chilli I know that for me a little is delicious but more than that spoils everything.
I intend to seek out some salsify.
Cid
December 5, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
Elsie,
Chicory can be very good when cooked with butter and brown sugar until soft and caramelised or roasted with some balsamic vinegar.
Kale is excellent, really easy to cook and full of good things to keep the winter chills at bay!
Miles
December 5, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
Cid,
Great comment! Sounds like a labour government think tank! Try and get some salsify, it does make a pleasant change.
Miles
December 5, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
Miles,
Thank you for the tip re chicory. I would never have thought of that and will give it a try.
December 6, 2007 @ 1:44 pm