As the winter chill sets in, December brings a bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables that are perfect for keeping your family cozy and nourished. From vibrant citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits to hearty root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots, this month’s produce is packed with essential vitamins and flavors. Whether you're preparing warming soups, festive salads, or cozy roasted dishes, there are endless ways to incorporate these fresh, seasonal ingredients into your meals. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best December produce and share simple, family-friendly recipes to help you make the most of these winter treasures.
In December, several fruits are in season in various regions of the United States. Here are some fruits that are typically harvested and readily available
Apples (late-season varieties like Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady)
Pears (Bosc, Anjou, and Comice varieties)
Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and clementines)
Cranberries (often harvested in November but still available in December)
Pomegranates
Persimmons
Kiwi fruits
Grapes (late-season varieties like Concord and Muscadine)
Figs (some varieties have a second harvest in late fall)
Dates
Please keep in mind that the availability of fruits may vary depending on the specific region and weather conditions. Specific varieties and availability may vary depending on the region and local growing conditions. It's always a good idea to check with local farmers' markets or grocery stores to see which fruits are freshest and in season in your area.
A wide variety of vegetables are in season in the United States as well! Here's a list of vegetables commonly harvested during this time:
Brussels sprouts
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Broccoli
Kale
Spinach
Winter squash (such as butternut squash, acorn squash, and spaghetti squash)
Beets
Radishes
Potatoes (various varieties)
Sweet potatoes
Celery
Onions (including shallots and leeks)
Turnips
Rutabagas
Parsnips
Garlic
Mushrooms (available year-round but commonly used in winter dishes)
These vegetables are often at their peak in terms of flavor and availability during October. However, do note that specific varieties and availability may vary depending on the region and local growing conditions. It's always a good idea to check with local farmers' markets or grocery stores to see which vegetables are freshest and in season in your area.
Here are some easy, family-friendly recipe ideas using those fresh December fruits: (*NOTE: omit honey in any food / recipe if serving to infant under 12 months old! & adjust any common choking hazards such as nuts*)
Apple & Pear Salad: Toss chopped apples and pears with mixed greens, walnuts, and a light vinaigrette for a fresh salad.
Citrus Fruit Salad: Combine orange, grapefruit, and tangerine segments for a vibrant citrus salad. Add a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.
Cranberry-Apple Sauce: Simmer fresh cranberries with diced apples, a splash of orange juice, and a touch of sugar to make a quick homemade cranberry-apple sauce.
Pomegranate & Roasted Veggie Salad: Top roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, and sweet potatoes with pomegranate seeds for a festive, nutrient-packed salad.
Baked Apples with Cinnamon: Core apples and stuff them with oats, cinnamon, and a bit of honey, then bake until tender.
Pear and Cheese Toast: Top whole-grain toast with slices of pear, a dollop of ricotta or goat cheese, and a drizzle of honey for a simple snack or light meal.
Grapefruit and Avocado Salad: Combine sections of grapefruit with creamy avocado, red onion, and a light vinaigrette for a refreshing salad.
Persimmon and Spinach Salad: Slice persimmons and toss them with spinach, feta cheese, and walnuts for a light, festive salad.
Fig & Goat Cheese Crostini: Top toasted baguette slices with goat cheese, fresh figs, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an easy appetizer.
Date & Nut Energy Bites: Combine dates, almonds, oats, and coconut flakes in a food processor, roll into balls, and refrigerate for a healthy snack.
Apple & Cinnamon Oatmeal: Top warm oatmeal with thin apple slices, cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup for a comforting breakfast.
Orange Chicken Stir-Fry: Stir-fry chicken, bell peppers, and broccoli in a sauce made with fresh orange juice, soy sauce, and a little honey for a citrusy twist.
Cranberry & Pear Compote: Simmer cranberries and pears with a touch of cinnamon and sugar for a tasty compote that can be served over yogurt or pancakes.
Grapefruit & Shrimp Salad: Toss shrimp, grapefruit segments, mixed greens, and a citrus dressing for a light, refreshing lunch.
Persimmon & Ricotta Toast: Spread ricotta on toast and top with thin slices of persimmons and a drizzle of honey.*
Pomegranate Glazed Salmon: Make a simple glaze by mixing pomegranate juice with honey and mustard, then brush it on salmon fillets before baking.
Fig & Prosciutto Sandwiches: Layer fresh figs, prosciutto, and arugula on a baguette or sandwich bread for a quick and savory lunch.
Apple and Sausage Skillet: Cook sliced sausage with apple slices and onions in a skillet for a warm and savory meal.
Baked Pears with Walnuts: Halve pears, sprinkle with walnuts and cinnamon, and bake until tender for a warm dessert or side dish.
Date & Coconut Smoothie: Blend dates with coconut milk, a banana, and a dash of vanilla for a naturally sweet smoothie.
Pomegranate & Quinoa Salad: Combine cooked quinoa with pomegranate seeds, cucumber, and feta cheese for a nutrient-packed salad.
Grapes and Cheese Platter: Serve late-season grapes with a variety of cheeses and crackers for an easy, no-cook snack or appetizer.
These ideas will help you make the most of these seasonal fruits in creative and tasty ways!
Here are some December or autumn-inspired recipe ideas using those fresh veggies too!
Stuffed Acorn Squash – Halve and roast acorn squash, then fill with a mix of quinoa, cranberries, nuts, and herbs for a hearty, seasonal meal.
Sweet Potato Casserole – Mash cooked sweet potatoes with a little butter, cinnamon, and maple syrup, then top with pecans and bake for a perfect autumn side dish.
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Glaze – Roast Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon and drizzle with a sweet maple glaze for a savory fall side.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup – Blend cooked broccoli with a rich cheese sauce for a warm and comforting broccoli cheddar soup that’s ideal for autumn.
Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots – Toss cauliflower and carrot chunks in olive oil, garlic, and thyme, then roast until crispy and caramelized.
Spinach and Sweet Potato Frittata – Sauté spinach and sweet potato slices, then combine with eggs and bake for a nutritious frittata perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Spaghetti Squash with Marinara – Roast spaghetti squash and scrape out the strands, then top with marinara sauce and Parmesan for a low-carb take on pasta.
Butternut Squash and Lentil Stew – Simmer cubes of butternut squash with lentils, spinach, and warm spices like cumin and turmeric for a hearty autumn stew.
Sweet Potato Fries – Cut sweet potatoes into fries, toss with olive oil and a pinch of salt, and bake until crispy. Great for a healthy snack or side.
Spaghetti Squash Pizza Boats – Roast spaghetti squash, scrape out the strands, and fill with pizza sauce, cheese, and favorite toppings. Bake until bubbly for a kid-friendly dinner.
Broccoli Tots – Blend steamed broccoli with cheese, breadcrumbs, and egg, then form into tots and bake for a healthy take on classic tater tots.
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese – Add steamed cauliflower to homemade mac and cheese to sneak in extra veggies while keeping the dish cheesy and comforting.
Butternut Squash Quesadillas – Spread mashed roasted butternut squash on tortillas, add cheese, and grill for a sweet and savory quesadilla that kids will love.
Kale Chips – Toss kale leaves with olive oil and salt, then bake until crispy for a nutritious snack that’s fun to eat.
Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup – Puree roasted carrots and sweet potatoes with broth and a little cream for a smooth and comforting soup that’s mild enough for kids.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots – Toss Brussels sprouts and carrots in olive oil and honey, then roast for a sweet and slightly caramelized side that pairs well with any family meal.
Butternut Squash and Apple Soup – Combine roasted butternut squash with apples, broth, and a touch of cinnamon for a sweet, kid-approved soup.
Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Turnovers – Use pre-made dough to create turnovers stuffed with spinach and cheese, then bake for an easy, handheld dinner or snack.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos – Roast cubes of sweet potato and mix with black beans, then serve in soft tortillas with toppings like avocado, salsa, and cheese for a fun taco night.
Broccoli and Cheese Baked Potatoes – Top baked potatoes with steamed broccoli and melted cheese for a veggie-packed meal kids will love.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze: Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast until crispy and drizzle with balsamic glaze for a savory side dish.
Roasted Winter Squash with Brown Sugar: Roast slices of acorn squash with a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon for a sweet and savory side dish.
Mushroom & Spinach Quesadillas: Sauté spinach and mushrooms, then stuff into tortillas with cheese for a quick and easy quesadilla.
Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary: Toss potato cubes with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then roast until crispy and golden.
Broccoli & Rice Casserole: Combine steamed broccoli, cooked rice, and a cheese sauce, then bake until bubbly for an easy, comforting casserole.
Cabbage Rolls: Stuff cabbage leaves with a mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, then bake in the oven for a filling meal.
Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Mushrooms: Fill mushroom caps with a mixture of spinach, ricotta, and garlic, then bake until tender for a tasty appetizer or snack.
Roasted Turnips & Carrots: Toss turnips and carrots with olive oil, thyme, and salt, then roast until tender for a sweet, savory side dish.
Rutabaga & Potato Mash: Boil rutabaga and potatoes, then mash them together for a hearty side dish that’s a little different from the usual mashed potatoes.
Parsnip Fries: Cut parsnips into thin strips, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then bake until crispy for a healthier alternative to French fries.
Butternut Squash Soup: Simmer cubed butternut squash with onions, garlic, and vegetable broth, then blend until smooth for a creamy, comforting soup.
Roasted Beet Salad: Roast beets and serve them over arugula with goat cheese, walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a delicious, earthy salad.
Radish & Cucumber Salad: Slice radishes and cucumbers, then toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt for a refreshing, crunchy side.
Spinach & Mushroom Frittata: Sauté spinach and mushrooms, then pour beaten eggs over the veggies and cook until set for a simple breakfast or dinner.
Cauliflower & Cheese Bake: Steam cauliflower florets and mix with a simple cheese sauce made of cheddar and milk, then bake until bubbly and golden.
Let's end with five baby-friendly recipes that make the most of December’s seasonal produce, packed with flavor & nutrition for little ones:
December brings hearty, cozy produce to keep your little one nourished and warm. Seasonal foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and festive fruits like pomegranates and citrus offer flavor and essential nutrients for developing bodies. Here are five simple, baby-friendly recipes for December!
Sweet Potato & Carrot Mash:
Ingredients: 1 small sweet potato, 1 carrot, water or formula
Peel, chop, and steam sweet potato and carrot until tender, then blend until smooth. This mash is rich in beta-carotene for eye and immune health.
Citrus & Apple Compote:
Ingredients: ½ apple, ½ orange (juiced), a pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Dice apple and simmer with fresh orange juice until softened. Blend for a tangy, refreshing puree perfect for introducing a hint of citrus!
Parsnip & Pear Puree:
Ingredients: 1 parsnip, 1 pear
Peel and chop parsnip and pear, then steam until tender. Blend for a naturally sweet, earthy puree ideal for wintertime.
Brussels Sprout & Potato Soup:
Ingredients: 1 small potato, 2-3 Brussels sprouts, water or formula
Steam chopped potato and Brussels sprouts until soft, then blend with liquid for a smooth, mild soup.
Pomegranate & Banana Yogurt Bowl:
Ingredients: ¼ banana (mashed), a few pomegranate arils, plain yogurt
Mix mashed banana with plain yogurt and top with a few pomegranate seeds (ensure no choking hazard). This nutrient-dense snack is ideal for exploring new textures and flavors!
Enjoy those fresh December fruits & veggies! I'll see you in the new year when I share the yummy fresh foods we can look forward to then!
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