16 recipes that let winter veggies shine
Don’t let the final days of winter prevent you from tasting all the season has to offer.
Eating seasonally is nothing new. But with fruit and veggie prices on the rise, turning to the cold-hardy stars of winter can pay off in more ways than one. Frost-tolerant veg such as beetroot, silverbeet, spinach, kūmara and cavolo nero are usually at their cheapest and freshest in winter; here’s how to use them from breakfast to dessert.
BREKKIE
Fridge-Raid Frittata
Let whatever is in your fridge take centre stage in this easy-to-make frittata.
Rosti with Creamed Spinach
This versatile meal can be served with poached eggs for breakfast, or with salmon or sirloin for a main
Greens and Feta Pancakes
Make these savoury pancakes using any garden greens you’ve got.
STARTERS, SOUPS AND SIDES
Green Leek & Potato Soup
Don’t forget the leek greens, particularly from smaller leeks as they are sweet and add excellent flavour to this soup.
Beetroot Cashew Dip
Serve this creamy homemade dip with a zippy butter bean salad and homemade seed crackers
Ruth Pretty’s Cabbage, Pear & Fennel Slaw
Cider vinegar, mustard and caraway punch up this simple, elegant slaw.
Roasted Butternut & Orange Soup
Pumpkin can be substituted for butternut in this soup, depending on availability.
Beetroot & Goat Cheese Tarte Tatin
Sweet, caramelized beetroot and tart goat cheese results in a delicious savoury dish.
Brussels Sprouts with Honey & Toasted Pepitas
Fresh brussels sprouts are the star of the show in this healthy-yet-tasty side dish.
MAINS
Cavolo Nero, Lemon & Ricotta Pizza
This is pizza made simple: crispy cavolo nero, lemon zest and a medley of cheeses.
Broccoli Tart with Red Onion Jam & Walnut Pesto
Feel free to experiment with other veggies in this tart — it will taste just as good.
Coriander & Lime Pesto with Noodles and Greens
Polish off a bowl of this, and you’ll feel not only satiated but virtuous!
Silverbeet Gnudi
These green-speckled ricotta dumplings are like gnocchi’s rustic cousins.
Braised Lamb Shank & Kūmara Pie
Waiting for the lamb to work its magic in the oven requires patience, but the end result is completely worth it.
Cauliflower Fritters with Fried Halloumi
A zingy lime emulsion is the perfect dressing for these scrummy cauli fritters.
DESSERT
Four Ginger Parsnip Sticky Date Pudding
The addition of parsnip that really makes this a real show-stopper.