November's foods in season and what to cook with them
The foods that are at their best this month and how to use them.
It's getting cold outside so warm up in the kitchen with our pick of November's seasonal goodies.
Vegetables
It's time to dig up the best of autumn's root vegetables: celeriac, swedes, turnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes and parsnips. You'll also find excellent artichokes, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, kale, leeks, sprouts and pumpkins (probably going cheap post-Halloween).
Look out for fresh horseradish after the first frosts.
Try...
Celeriac, sprouts and bacon soup
Sweet potato and chocolate bread-and-butter pudding
Braised beef with horseradish dumplings
Jerusalem artichoke and vanilla soup
Goat's cheese, beetroot and parsnip salad
Sophie Wright
Meat
The goose is getting fat and you don't need to wait until Christmas. Meanwhile, pheasant now takes centre stage on the game front, with rabbit, duck and venison in fine form.
Chilly days are also perfect for rich and warming slow-cooked dishes and stews, so look for cheap cuts of beef that will benefit from long and low cooking.
Try...
Mary Berry's duck breasts with lime and ginger sauce
The Hairy Bikers' roast belly of pork
Mums Still Know Best: The Hairy Bikers' Best-Loved Recipes
Seafood
Mussels, oysters, clams and scallops are thriving in the colder water at this time of year.
On the fish front, lemon sole, haddock, halibut, herring, plaice and sea bass are among the catches of the month.
Try...
Grilled herring with a walnut and tarragon crust
Baked scallops with crispy serrano ham
Eggs en cocotte with smoked haddock, leeks and chives
New England-style clam chowder
America: The Cookbook /Phaidon
Fruit
Get saucy with some cranberries in the run-up to Christmas or make use of the imported clementines and dates that are widely available at this time of year.
If you fancy a fruity challenge, do something with this season's quince. It's also the very last chance for apples and pears.
While not fruits, chestnuts are ready to be roasted on those open fires and hazelnuts are delicious in brownies and crumbles.
Try...
Quince and pomegranate glazed pork recipe
Spiced cranberry and apple crumble recipe
Flourless chocolate and hazelnut cake
Jenny Zarins/Polpo/Russell Norman
You might also enjoy:
Delicious things you didn't know you could make with pumpkin
Comments
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature