The winter is a great time to experiment with new foods: cooler weather makes you want to nest a little bit more, and the oven and stove bring a welcome warmth to the house. It’s also a great time to try new recipes and invite friends and family to share in the warmth.
We’ve rounded up some of the best wintertime foods and shared dozens of recipes to inspire you to try a whole new range of foods this winter season.
Squash + Pumpkin
Squash and pumpkin are the ultimate winter foods: nourishing, vitamin-rich, and super comforting. Whether you choose canned pumpkin or use the huge variety of squashes available this time of year, they are all a win for wintertime meals. My favorites are kabocha (with skin that doesn’t need to be peeled) and super creamy butternut, which can be used in soups, desserts and served alone. Check out these recipes to find inspiration for the whole season.
1. Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto With Fresh Herbs
4. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Barley, Apples and Walnuts
5. Winter Squash & Pear Soup with Sage
6. Butternut Squash and Heirloom Bean Chili
7. Butternut Squash Gratin with Leeks and Apples
8. Red Kuri Squash with Indian Spices
9. DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
11. Pumpkin Muffins
Roots
Root veggies abound this time of year. Beautiful, soil-covered gems like beets, turnips, radishes, carrots and sweet potatoes are perfect for deeply nourishing meals for the cooler months. Just like squashes, these earthy foods have warming, grounding properties that are well-suited for wintertime meals. Read more about the health benefits and various cooking methods of root vegetables in this fun tutorial.
The easiest way to cook root veggies is to scrub (no need to peel) and chop to about 1-cm dice. Toss with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt and roast until soft at 375º, about 15-20 minutes. Or you could get fancier and try some of these lovely wintertime root veggie recipes:
13. Baked Beets With Fresh Herbs & Butter
14. Cumin-Scented Quinoa & Beets With Curried Chickpeas
16. Beet and Carrot Veggie Burgers
17. Radishes with Honey and Lemon
18. Radish and Root Kimchi Recipe
19. Pan-Fried Rutabaga with Ginger and Mustard
20. Roasted Celery Root with Maple Apple Butter
21. Turnip Mash
22. Curried Lentil & Sweet Potato Stew
23. Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Tangy Lime Mayonnaise
24. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
25. Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Ginger Pecan Crust
Whole Grains
I’ve been writing about new whole grains over this past month, and the cool winter months are the perfect time to add these long-cooking foods to your menu.
Teff: Use this gorgeous brown gluten-free grain for sweet or savory porridges, little teff squares, or stir into stews for a creamy, filling meal.
Kaniwa: Related to quinoa, this dark brown, gluten-free grain/seed is a beautiful and quick-cooking option or cozy winter meals.
Kamut: Try this hearty cousin of wheat in whole grain form for hugely filling salads or pilafs. Combine with bright greens and other fresh veggies for a beautiful centerpiece meal.
Quinoa: A very popular and very versatile gluten-free grain, this grain works in everything from pilaf to breakfast porridge.
Brown rice: Brown rice is nourishing, grounding and so very easy to make. You can bulk cook a big batch and have on hand for a whole week of soups, stews, and hearty winter salads all through the colder months.
28. Quinoa-Stuffed Sweet Peppers with Corn, Spinach, Feta & Herbs
29. Quinoa Cakes
31. Luxurious Brown Rice Pudding
32. Caramelized Onion, Lentil & Rice Stew
34. Porridge With Fruit & Nuts
35. Teff with Greens
