Winter Vegetables List: What Is in Season in December, January and February?

When winter comes, the market stall changes too: tomatoes and peppers give way to cabbages, leeks and root vegetables. In this post we list winter vegetables month by month for December, January and February, with short notes on simple ways to use them at home and how to store them.

Which vegetables are winter vegetables?

• Cabbages: kale (karalahana), white cabbage, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts
• Flower vegetables: cauliflower and broccoli
• Leafy greens: spinach, chard, lettuce, rocket, parsley
• Roots and tubers: carrots, celeriac, radishes, beetroot, Jerusalem artichokes
• Alliums: leeks, onions, garlic
• Squash: pumpkin, harvested in autumn and stored through winter

Most of these vegetables tolerate cold. Some stay in the field through winter and are picked as needed; pumpkin and some root vegetables are harvested in autumn and stored for the winter months.

Which vegetables are in season in December, January and February?

The list below shows vegetables commonly found at winter markets in Turkey, especially in mild regions such as the Marmara. It is not a fixed calendar; it can shift by a few weeks with region, altitude and the year’s weather.

• December: kale, white and red cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, leeks, spinach, celeriac, carrots, radishes, pumpkin
• January: leeks, kale, Brussels sprouts, spinach, chard, celeriac, carrots, beetroot, radishes, Jerusalem artichokes
• February: leeks, spinach, carrots, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage; fresh greens start to increase towards the end of the month

If you would rather grow these vegetables in your garden, the guide to what to plant in November and December is a good next read.

What to Plant in November and December in Istanbul →

How to use winter vegetables at home

Winter vegetables do not need long preparation. A few simple ways:

• Leeks: leeks braised in olive oil, leek pastry or a soup with potatoes.
• Kale: Black Sea style soup, stuffed leaves or sautéed with onion.
• White and red cabbage: finely shredded as a salad with lemon and olive oil, pickles or stuffed leaves.
• Cauliflower and broccoli: steamed for a few minutes, or roasted with olive oil and spices.
• Celeriac: braised in olive oil, grated into a yoghurt salad, or in soup.
• Spinach and chard: with eggs, as a yoghurt borani, or cooked with lentils.
• Radishes and carrots: grated into salads; carrots also go into soups and roasting trays.
• Pumpkin: soup, roasted slices or a dessert.

Our post on introducing children to vegetables through play and stories may also give you ideas for the winter table.

The Magic Formula That Makes Children Love Vegetables: The Şifa Köyü Books →

How to store winter vegetables

• Cabbages, cauliflower and broccoli go in the fridge’s vegetable drawer; covering the cut face of a cabbage slows drying.
• Leeks and celery stalks go into the fridge unwashed and are washed just before use.
• Cut the leaves off carrots, radishes and beetroot and store them separately; roots without leaves keep longer.
• Pumpkin and onions do not go in the fridge; keep them somewhere cool, dry and airy.
• Leafy greens such as spinach and chard wilt quickly; it is best to use them within a few days.

How much fruit and vegetables a day?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables a day for everyone older than 10; younger children need smaller amounts. Portions by age and sex are set out in the Turkish Ministry of Health’s Türkiye Nutrition Guide (TÜBER 2022). If you follow a special diet or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or a dietitian.

Winter vegetables at Şifa Köyü

At Şifa Köyü in Şile, vegetables are grown from heirloom seed without chemical sprays, and the produce holds a European Union approved organic farming certificate. What is in season is in the sifakoyu.com shop; stock changes with the season.

Seasonal vegetables in the Şifa Köyü shop (in Turkish) →

Kale in the Şifa Köyü shop (in Turkish) →

Leeks in the Şifa Köyü shop (in Turkish) →

Broccoli in the Şifa Köyü shop (in Turkish) →

Şifa Köyü’s own blog also has a post on winter vegetables and fruit with recipes:

Winter Vegetables and Winter Fruit (Şifa Köyü blog, in Turkish) →

The post about Şifa Köyü’s winter field and growing from heirloom seed:

A Truly Organic Winter Field: Chemical-Free, from Heirloom Seed →

If you want to grow winter vegetables in your own garden or on your balcony, the Permaculture and Herbal Farming Consultancy covers soil, seed and seasonal planning for a balcony, garden or field.

Permaculture and Herbal Farming Consultancy →

Frequently asked questions

What are winter vegetables?

The main winter vegetables are leeks, kale, white and red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, chard, celeriac, carrots, radishes, beetroot, Jerusalem artichokes and pumpkin.

Which vegetables are in season in January?

In Turkey, leeks, kale, Brussels sprouts, spinach, chard, celeriac, carrots, beetroot, radishes and Jerusalem artichokes are common at markets in January. The list can vary with region and weather.

Is pumpkin a winter vegetable?

Pumpkin is harvested in autumn. Its hard skin lets it keep through the winter in a cool, dry place, which is why it appears so often on winter tables.

Should winter vegetables be kept in the fridge?

Cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, leeks, celery and leafy greens keep in the fridge’s vegetable drawer. Pumpkin and onions are better kept somewhere cool, dry and airy instead of the fridge.

How much fruit and vegetables should you eat a day?

The World Health Organization recommends at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables a day for people older than 10. Younger children need less; portions by age are in the Türkiye Nutrition Guide.

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