When December hits none of us are really thinking of seasonal foods and recipes but there really are some gems available right now that are not to be missed.  Don’t overlook those pomegranates that are on sale right now or the bags of chestnuts.  The gnarly celery roots can be put to great use in gratins or pot pies and persimmons, if you’ve never tried before, are fabulous in ginger bread! Those are just a few ideas to get you started.

Besides big plans for seasonal produce, my son and I have big plans to enjoy the Christmas season this month.  I’m gearing up for a fun filled month with family.  We’ll be watching Christmas movies and old black and whites, visiting the Grand America for their very grand Christmas displays, making homemade marshmallows to top our hot cocoa, baking cookies (maybe these or these),  reading Christmas stories and advent verses, playing in the snow, and we’ll likely attend a production of the Madeleine Choir. These are just a few of our family’s traditions.

A glorious December awaits us all!

Brussels Sprouts

Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprout Galette with Goat Cheese

Easy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette

Sweet Potato Mushroom and Brussels Sprout Hash (pictured above)

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Hazelnuts

Super Food Bowls with Winter Veggies

Celery Root

Root Vegetable Gratin

Chicken and Root Vegetable Pot Pie

Celery Root and Potato Au Gratin by Cafe Johnsonia

Chestnuts

Roasted Chestnuts (pictured above)

Chestnut Soup

Grapefruit

Maple Bruleed Grapefruit

Winter Citrus and Avocado Kale Salad

Panzanella Salad with Grapefruit, Fennel and Avocado

Kale

Turkey Chili with Kale

One Pan Farro with Tomatoes Sausage and Kale

Kale Caesar Salad with Blueberries and Lemon Ricotta

Kale Chips

Kale and Black Bean Falafel

Kale and Collard Green Gratin

Simple Kale Salad

Leek

Soft Scrambled Eggs with Goat Cheese and Leeks

Lemon

Lemon Curd

Homemade Limoncello

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes (pictured above)

Lemon Ice Box Cake

Lemon Beignets with Strawberry Vanilla Sauce

Whiskey Sour with Fresh Lemon

Oranges

Cranberry Orange Sherbet

Farro Salad with Blood Oranges, Kumquats, and Beets

Cranberry Orange Relish

Parsnips

Parsnip Hash Browns

Chicken and Root Vegetable Pot Pie

Caramelized Pear and Parsnip Soup by Cafe Johnsonia

Root Vegetable Mash by Mountain Mama Cooks

Maple Roasted Carrot and Parsnip Fries by Flavor the Moments

Persimmons

Persimmon Ginger Bread

Pomegranate

Pomegranate Cornbread Stuffing

Greek Yogurt Cheesecake with Pomegranate Sauce

Winter Superfood Bowls with Pomegranates (pictured above)

Sweet Potato Baked Oatmeals with Pomegranate

Cranberry Pomegranate Lime Cocktail

Potatoes

Roasted Potato Salad

Homemade Potato Gnocchi with step by step photos

Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Sweet Potato, Mushroom and Brussels Sprout Hash

Sweet Potato Fries

Pumpkin Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Black Bean and Corn Salad

Sweet Potato Apple and Cranberry Sauté with Hazelnuts

Sweet Potato, Spinach and Quinoa Soup

Radicchio

Fava Bean and Fennel Risotto with Sautéed Radicchio

Spaghetti with Radicchio and Chèvre by Cafe Johnsonia

Radishes

Strawberry Pickled Radishes

Farro Pesto Salad with Edamame and Radishes

Radishes with Vegan Coconut Butter by Cafe Johnsonia

Rutabaga

Mashed Rutabaga with Ginger Roasted Pears

Rutabaga Puree by Cafe Johnsonia

Turnips

Mashed Potatoes with Turnips and Sautéed Leeks by Floating Kitchen

Cider-Mustard Glazed Root Vegetables by Cafe Johnsonia

Winter Squash

Roasted Chicken with Figs and Butternut Squash

Spicy Butternut Squash Soup with Pumpkin Seed Pesto

Pesto and Burrata Stuffed Acorn Squash

Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprout Galette with Goat Cheese

Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash

Acorn Squash Bread with Seeds and Nuts

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Risotto (pictured above)

Squash Casserole with Maple Nut Praline

Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew

Butternut Squash Soup

Baked Pasta with Squash and Kale