Seasonal eating in February

Monday 6 February 2012, 18:29

Following on from our guide of the best things to eat in January, here's a guide of what's good to eat in February.

Fruit and veg

The following fruits and vegetables are currently right in their prime, so why not try some of our suggested recipes?

Leeks

A good source of dietary fibre, leeks also contain folic acid, calcium, potassium, and vitamins C and A. They are also easier to digest than onions and have laxative, antiseptic, diuretic, and anti-arthritic properties. When buying leeks, look for long, firm white stalks and avoid steams with withered, yellowed tops.

Try:

Chicken and leek pie
Crispy leek and cheddar muffins
Leek and shallot pearl barley risotto

Browse all leek recipes

Brussel sprouts

If you're not too sick of them after Christmas, now is the perfect time to eat sprouts. Not only are they in abundance and at their utmost quality, they're good for you too, as they're extremely rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Shop for those that are firm in texture and dark green in colour.

Try:

Brussel sprout and stilton soup
Creamed brussel sprouts with bacon and thyme
Lemon and mustard seed brussel sprouts

Browse more brussel sprout recipes

Cauliflower

This flower vegetable is a great for helping weight loss and is rich in vitamin C. It is also a good source of minerals such as manganese, copper, iron, calcium and potassium. Choose pale, compact heads that feel heavy in hand and avoid bruised ones.

Cauliflower and potato curry
Cauliflower soup
Pan-fried sea bass with textures of cauliflower

Get more cauliflower recipes

Kale

Kale is a leafy green vegetable in the cabbage family that is also rich in nutrients and minerals. It is usually served as an accompaniment to meat and fish. Look for crispy green leaves with a dark green colour.

Try:

Healthy salmon and kale
Roast duck with creamy kale
Parsnip gratin with curly kale

Browse our kale recipes

Rhubarb

This tasty fruit is in abundance in February and is perfect for making delicious fruity puddings!

Try:

Rhubarb and lime tart
Rhubarb pie
Yogurt pannacotta with roasted rhubarb

Browse all rhubarb recipes

Passion fruit

Passion fruit doesn't only taste great - it is high in beta carotene, potassium, and dietary fibre. A favourite ingredient for Valentine's Day cooking, it's the perfect fruit for February.

Try:

Passion fruit pavlova
Gingersnap and passion fruit ripple fool
Sunshine roulade

Browse all passion fruit recipes

Pomegranate

Pomegranate is one of the most nutritional fruits available, providing about 17 per cent of one's recommended daily amount of vitamin C alone. It can also be used in both sweet and savoury cooking and baking.

Try:

Butternut squash, pomegranate, pine nut, feta and mint salad
Sticky honey pomegranate and ottoman-spiced chicken wings
Jewelled jelly and icecream

Browse all pomegranate recipes

Meat, seafood and poultry

It's also resourceful to cook with the following in February:

Venision

Venison sausages with celeriac mash
Gamekeeper's pie
Venison loin, ham and haunch

Browse all vension recipes

Turkey

Turkey enchiladas
Turkey meatballs
Turkey pasanda

Browse all turkey recipes

Mussels