What's In Season // Winter

We are lucky to have a farmers market available throughout the winter months. The spoils are much different when it's cold out—hardly anything fresh but lots of handmade things for around the house as well as pantry staples and preserved produce. Paying attention to what makers and growers are selling during the winter gave me a better feel for what can be done when the ground is frozen.

We love the classic dill pickles in our family, but this year I've started noticing all the other great ways to pickle and ferment. Quick pickles can be made with different seasonings—my favorite is soy sauce, ginger, and garlic—to provide many more variations for bright, crunchy, fresh-tasting vegetables in the winter months. Cucumbers and cabbage alone can be pickled and fermented in so many different ways, not to mention other crunchy veggies like cauliflower, carrots, and turnips.

Here is a list of what my local farmers market offered throughout the winter:

HANDMADE

bee houses and birdhouses

linen totes, napkins, table runners

illustrated wall calendars

ceramic mugs and vases

wooden cutting boards and utensils

aromatherapy sprays

face oils, toners, lip balm

beeswax candles, lotion bars, nail butter

wool knits

seasonal floral arrangements, amaryllis

tea blends

bath soaks

FRESH / FROZEN

honey (regular, creamed, honeycomb, flavored)

organic crusty bread

vegan creamery

eggs

corn grits

wheat flour

turkey (sliced, ground)

Italian sausage

kielbasa

spare ribs

beef bones

chicken and beef organs

brisket

steak

roast

lard

PRODUCE

radishes, turnips

microgreens

spinach

bok choy

Mesclun

arugula

carrots

sweet potatoes

potatoes

*cold-pressed juice

PRESERVED

jam

kimchi

sauerkraut

curtido

escabeche

ferment juice

pickles

hot sauce

salsa

freeze-dried tomatoes, butternut squash, bell peppers, herbs

frozen soups, tomatoes, squash