What Are The Vegetables And Fruits In Season Now? (December)

Winter is just starting but you might already wonder how to eat more vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are essential in your diet because they pack a lot of fiber, vitamins, and minerals necessary to keep your body healthy and full of zest.

However, if you live in the northern hemisphere, especially in the most northern countries, tasty vegetables and fruits aren’t flooding your plate in winter. Instead of finding delicious seasonal vegetables, you might opt out of buying them altogether. 

However, even during winter, seasonal vegetables and fruits are available and can be delicious.

In this article, you’ll find what fruits are in season right now and seasonal vegetables to enjoy in December.

Read next: What are the benefits and key principles of the Mediterranean Diet?

Why is it important to eat seasonally?

When your local food markets empty in winter, you are left with only a few options: buying frozen vegetables and fruits, produce grown in greenhouses, or exotic fruits and greens imported while still unripe. But chances are none of these options are very delicious. 

But you can eat seasonally if you know what to look for. 

If you do, here are some of the benefits of eating seasonally:

• You get more nutrients: Seasonal vegetables and fruits are often harvested when they’re fully ripe. The riper the produce, the more vitamins and minerals it contains. Allowing greens to fully ripen has many benefits as the sun promotes processes inside them to produce those amazing nutrients and give them juicy and rich flavor. 
• More flavor and taste: Seasonal vegetables and fruits smell and taste better. Rather than consuming tomatoes and cucumbers that taste like plastic in winter, choose locally grown seasonal veggies and fruits. 
• Environmentally-friendly option: Locally grown produce reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and storage. It also promotes biodiversity and supports local farmers, which can help preserve agricultural diversity and ecosystems. To support the environment choose local produce or veggies and fruits grown on local farms. 
• More affordable: Seasonal foods usually cost less because they’re more abundant. When vegetables and fruits are in season, they are easier to find and more affordable.
• You can connect to nature and local culture: I never followed seasons when I lived in Lithuania, even though there you can enjoy all four seasons. But when I moved to Spain, I began noticing seasons in grocery stores. From ripe oranges in winter and spring to crunchy cucumbers and watermelons in summer. Buying seasonally can also help preserve traditional culinary practices and regional cuisine.

What vegetables are in season in December?

The list of fruits in season now and winter season vegetables I compiled is comprised of produce grown in Spain and the Mediterranean countries. But in most parts of Europe, the USA, and the UK, you should be able to find them at grocery stores or your local food markets.

1. Acelga or Swiss chard: Use this winter vegetable in your soups to add more potassium, iodine, and iron to your diet.
2. Artichoke: Make salads, dips, or eat roasted artichoke hearts as they are.
3. Celery: This crunchy veggie gives depth to your favorite soups (you can also drink celery juice if you’re into the taste).
4. Eggplant: In my opinion, eggplant is one of the most versatile vegetables you can grow or buy. Stir fry, stuff, and roast it to make filling and healthy meals.
5. Broccoli: These green veggies are full of antioxidants and fiber that are necessary for protecting your body and gut.
6. Zucchini: Another versatile vegetable you can use for roasting, making zucchini noodles, or in your salads.
7. Red cabbage: Add this rich color to your stir-fries or crunch on it as it is.
8. Cauliflower: It can be a great substitute for grains as it has a lower glycemic index than, for example, rice or potatoes.
9. Escarole: A great vegetable to add crunch to your salads or sandwiches. It also packs lots of vitamins and minerals.
10. Spinach: Due to its mild flavor, you can use spinach in many dishes. It’s rich in magnesium and other minerals and vitamins.
11. Peas: They brighten any meal. Add them to your soups, salads, and sauces to enjoy the sweetness of this legume.
12. Green beans: A staple of many cuisines, green beans pack a lot of fiber, folate, and potassium. 
13. Lettuce: It’s great for salads and sandwiches.
14. Bell pepper: A colorful veggie great for stir-fries, salads, or for stuffing to make a delicious and hearty meal.
15. French onion: Don’t overlook this largely ignored vegetable. It tastes great in stews, soups, and as a garnish.
16. Raddish: Not everyone enjoys spicy radish, but it’s a healthy vegetable that can enhance your salads and sandwiches with extra flavor and crunch.
17. Beetroot: Another overlooked vegetable that should be on your next grocery list. It’s full of iron, potassium, and other minerals necessary for your body to function well. 
18. Carrots: Nutritious root vegetables that are rich in fiber. Use carrots in stews, quiches, salads, side dishes, or whatever you can think of.

Ten fruits in season now

1. Avocados: I’ve always thought of avocados as vegetables, but my sources say I am wrong. But if you want to enjoy a creamy bowl of guacamole, December is the right month to do so.
2. Persimmons: Brightly orange, sweet, and crunchy, it’s hard to find a sweeter fruit in the winter season.
3. Kiwis: A vitamin C bomb to protect you against winter colds.
4. Lemons: The juiciest citrus fruits are in season in winter. So, if you want to enhance your food or make homemade lemonade, now is your time.
5. Mandarines: One thing that always gets me in the Christmas mood is mandarins. The smell of freshly peeled mandarins reminds me of zesty Christmas cookies.
6. Oranges: Just like other citrus fruits, oranges reach their full potential in winter. Now, they are extra sweet and juicy.
7. Apples: After the autumn harvest is done, apples remain in season for a few months.
8. Bananas: They make a great snack between meals as they are low in sugar but high in essential minerals like potassium.
9. Pineapples: Sweet and juicy pineapples are another winter fruit you can enjoy abundantly at this time of year.
10. Grapes: In winter in Spain, everyone enjoys grapes. People here eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve, representing every month of the following year. Now is the time when grapes are the sweetest.

That’s all for winter season vegetables and fruits

I hope you found your favorite seasonal vegetables and fruits currently in season on this list. You can confidently select only the sweetest and freshest greens to add to your diet. Use this list as a guide for your next grocery shopping trip.