This guide to in-season winter fruits will help you save money and get the freshest fruits in the winter! Find out which fruits are in season, plus recipe ideas and budgeting tips.
When you think of fresh fruit, you don’t usually associate it with the winter season.
But there are actually quite a few fresh fruits in season in winter, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy something new!
Save the berries for spring and the apples for fall and try these winter fruits instead!
WHY EAT FRUITS IN SEASON IN WINTER?
Most winter fruits and vegetables are available year-round in the grocery stores. However, you should still shop for produce items that are specifically winter season foods for a few reasons.
- It’s healthier to eat in season produce. When you buy winter fruits and vegetables that are in season, you get the nutrients you need, like the extra vitamin C you find in citrus fruits.
- In season produce tastes better. In-season fruits and vegetables taste better because they have been harvested closer to home until ripened, and perfectly ripened fruits and veggies taste fresh and delicious!
- It’s MUCH better for the budget! When farmers are harvesting an abundance of fruits in the winter (or vegetables), the cost is lower because there’s more to go around and because it doesn’t have to travel as far to reach the stores. Out-of-season produce is still available these days, but it has to come from much further away, resulting in less freshness and higher prices.
- It’s easier to find at the Farmers’ Market. If your local farmers harvest fruit, you’ll find it easily at your local markets!
SEASONAL FRUITS IN THE WINTER
Here is my guide for the winter fruit season. It is full of tasty foods that are easy to find this time of year. I hope you see some favorites and maybe find something new to try!
AVOCADO
Although we typically eat them in savory recipes, avocadoes are technically winter fruits. They aren’t only delicious but trendy too! I’ve seen little avocado-shaped purses EVERYWHERE. It’s kind of odd actually. But the reason they are so popular is because they are so good for you!
They are high in “good fats” such as monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. These are good for you when they occur naturally in foods (like olive oil). They improve heart function and also help with weight loss and digestion. Avocado oil is also amazing for the skin because it is high in vitamin E.
RIPE CITRUS FRUITS (LEMONS, ORANGES, GRAPEFRUITS)
Citrus fruits are naturally cleansing and provide us with loads of Vitamin C and energy to help keep our immune systems strong in winter. Vibrantly colored and both sweet and sour, they are so enlivening for recipes.
Look for different varieties during peak season. Blood oranges, Meyer lemons, and key limes are fun seasonal favorites! But of course, regular lemons and navel oranges have key health benefits too.
Aside from peeling and eating oranges, you can use citrus in juice, drinks, sauces, marinades, and salads. Here are some recipes for inspiration:
KIWI
Kiwifruit season stretches all the way from October to May, but the peak growing season is right in the middle of winter. This small fruit contains plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants.
Kiwi is a favorite for easy snacking – I simply wash and cut the whole thing up, peel and all! The peel has fiber and not much taste, so why take the extra step?
If you like, you can also cut them in half and scoop each half out of the peel with a spoon. They’re a favorite with kids because they’re fuzzy on the outside and bright green on the inside!
You can also try kiwi in one of these:
MANGO
Mangoes are delicious! They are one of my favorite fruits for snacking and smoothies. They are high in potassium, magnesium, and iron. Plus, high levels of folate and vitamin C make them great for eating in winter.
Mangoes come from tropical regions and are available year-round, but the prices do drop in winter because they grow more abundantly.
Fun fact: Mangos are a distant relative of poison ivy! Some people experience sensitivity to mangoes because of the small amount of urushiol contained within the skin.
PINEAPPLE
I’m so excited that pineapples will begin to drop in price around this time of year. I love pineapple! Its sweet-tart taste is so good in smoothies, cut up for snacks, or mixed in my favorite Vegetable Quinoa Salad!
Pineapples are high in vitamin C and really great for sore throats. The vitamin C also helps boost the immune system, aid digestion, and reduce inflammation!
POMEGRANATES
Pomegranates add such a pretty pop of color to recipes. You can easily find them everywhere these days. Pomegranates have a delicious tangy taste and are full of potent antioxidants.
Pomegranates are a great option for winter fruit season to perk up your recipes!
WINTER FRUIT SEASON FAQS
What fruits grow best in the winter?
Which fruit is best for cold and flu season?
MORE WAYS TO USE WINTER FRUITS
Winter fruits are delicious in recipes specific to their flavors, like those suggested above, and you can mix and match them in these recipes:
- Smoothies. Try these winter fruits as part of a green smoothie for a delicious fresh breakfast or snack.
- Fruit Pizza. Use the same base and adapt it for fruits in season in winter. Pineapple, mango, and pomegranates would be pretty and yummy!
- Winter Salads. Whether you sprinkle pomegranate arils on top, add grapefruit segments or sliced avocado, or make a citrusy vinaigrette, winter fruits add sweetness and flavor to your winter salads.
- Simple Snacking. Fresh fruit is a great snack choice year-round, and choosing seasonal winter fruits gives you a nourishing option. It’s one of my favorite low-prep snacks!
- Boost carbs. If you’re tracking macros and need more carbs, try fruit! Yogurt topped with fresh fruit will boost both protein and carbs.
Winter fruit can typically be stored at room temperature, although you can extend the freshness by storing in the refrigerator.
MORE ABOUT WINTER SEASON FOOD
Choosing in-season produce is one of the best ways to save money on groceries and gain the most nutrients from your winter produce (and year-round!). Check out some of these other posts on healthy produce and saving money on food:
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