During the spring and summer seasons, eating delicious fruit and vegetables with each daily meal is an easy task since every plant seems to be sprouting and blooming. Then, when Autumn arrives, yet another overwhelming choice arises as a second helping comes into season.

Then winter comes along, and where did all the harvest disappear to? The plants and trees become lifeless and lose their foliage, as the brisk and chilly atmosphere sets in. The question is, are there any fruits or vegetables available at this time of year, and once we find them, what’s the best way to prepare them?

Tangerines, clementines, tangerines, oranges, grapes, pomegranate, bananas, pears, kiwi, and passion fruit are still available if you know where to look, and the same can be said for wintertime vegetables, like snow peas, celery, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes and turnips.

It may take a little effort to search them out, but fresh fruits are still around. Try first at the supermarket, and if no luck there, farmers markets or specialist food stores are bound to have what you need available. Did you ever consider growing your own supplies? It would depend on the region where you reside, but creating your own indoor (or out) winter garden is not such a chore. Do a little research online, or at the local library to find out the best methods, and you’ll be rewarded with awesome tasting produce, and an enormous smile.

Cooking Ideas: The first thing that always comes to mind is to make some delicious hearty warm veg soup. Begin preparing early on, and let the soup simmer away undisturbed, producing that unmistakable aroma. How about making guacamole with avocado, or cabbage leaves stuffed with hot filling. Sweet potatoes with pecan nuts and natural brown sugar can give a tasty treat.

Ideas for cooking with winter fruits: Since plenty of lettuce is available during the winter, dont be afraid to add orange fruits and grapes to your salads to give it a sweet kick. Or, you can omit vegetables from your salad entirely and stick to a winter fruit salad. Fresh cranberry sauce is delicious on white meat (add some orange zest and a little freshly squeezed orange juice to it for a different taste). Pears are a great fruit to serve warm or cold with a cinnamon streusel for dessert. Mix cut passion fruit with kiwi and serve it over vanilla ice cream for another dessert.

Fresh fruit and veg is still available in the cold months, wherever you reside. Do a little gardening, or remember to scour the stores, so you and your family enjoy a healthy diet during the winter season.