FRESHFARM Winter Recipes for a Healthy Reset
The winter months invite us into our cozy kitchens to simmer warming soups, toss cold-kissed greens into hearty salads, and bake something sweet in the oven. It’s also a great time to hit the reset button on our eating habits and bring more simple, nourishing foods to the table. That’s where the FRESHFARM recipe collection comes in! It’s packed with simple, plant-forward recipes that make the most of what’s in season and available right now at our year-round farmers markets. Here are a few of our favorite cold-weather recipes to help you make the most of the season’s bounty. So grab your market basket, fire up the stove, and enjoy the cozy flavors of winter!
Hearty Soups and Stews
Beet and Cabbage Borscht
Borscht is an Eastern European soup that takes on many forms. This version is a stick-to-your-ribs hot soup that makes great use of winter produce and includes white beans for added protein. Use oil instead of butter and replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock to make it vegan. Learn how to store and prep beets using our Produce 101 tool.
Kale & White Bean Stew
This satiating stew combines winter farmers market staples (onions, garlic, kale, and potatoes) with pantry standbys (canned tomatoes and white beans) to delicious effect. The addition of fresh herbs and grated Parmesan cheese elevates the final dish. Combine with crusty bread for a nutritious and satisfying meal. Check out this FoodPrints video to learn how to clean kale.
Spiced Cauliflower & Potato Soup
This smooth and creamy soup of potatoes, cauliflower, onions, garlic, and ginger is gently spiced with cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Adding a bit of heavy cream or coconut milk adds a hint of richness and creates a soothing bowl of comfort that you can enjoy for lunch or a light dinner. Serve with a side of steamed rice or warm naan bread (store-bought is fine!) for a more substantial meal.
Salads
Apple Beet Carrot (ABC) Salad
A favorite of FoodPrints students and families, this fresh and simple salad features fruits and vegetables readily available at many of our winter farmers markets. Grated apples, beets, and carrots come together in this salad with a sweet-and-tangy dressing. ABC Salad can be eaten right away, but we like to let the ingredients mingle for a few hours before diving in. Watch this FoodPrints video to learn how to make ABC Salad.
Colorful Kale Salad
This FoodPrints favorite has it all: it is tangy, creamy, salty, crunchy, sweet, and deeply satisfying. Plus, it is a great way to use kale, red onions, and apples, three items you’ll find at most of our year-round farmers markets in the winter months. First, you cut any type of kale into ribbons and massage it for a few minutes with a simple dressing of apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and salt. Next, add diced apple, feta cheese, toasted sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. You can enjoy it immediately, but it’s a sturdy salad that can be made ahead, making it perfect for meal prep and potlucks.
Sweets
Applesauce
Apple pie is nice, but so is applesauce, especially homemade applesauce made with your favorite apple variety! Local apples, cinnamon, and water are gently cooked until tender, then mashed into a saucy consistency. Add lemon juice and a bit of sugar to balance the taste to your liking. We enjoy eating applesauce on its own, folded into oatmeal for breakfast, or layered with yogurt and granola for a good-for-you and delicious winter parfait. You can also use it in this FoodPrints Oatmeal Applesauce Bread.
Apple Crisp
This simple crisp combines local apples with a crumble topping of oats, flour, walnuts, and butter, all sweetened with honey and a bit of apple juice. Depending on your mood, you can combine with yogurt for a nutritious breakfast or vanilla ice cream for a lovely dessert. Get local oats and flour from the Mid-Atlantic Grain Stand.
