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Food

In season: what to cook and eat in November

by Abigail Spooner
In season: what to cook and eat in November
Image: Maja Smend

It’s the perfect time of year to curl up with warming comfort food and look ahead to the festive entertaining season. Get cooking with our pick of November’s seasonal ingredients and recipes to inspire you…

Chestnuts

It isn’t surprising to learn that chestnuts come into season as we approach Christmas, given their strong association with festive food. Peeled and vacuum-packed is the easiest way to buy them, as they are ready to use in recipes, but you can also boil or roast fresh chestnuts to remove their tough outer shells. Their sweet, nutty flavour works particularly well in Christmas stuffing or sautéed with Brussels sprouts.

Image: Maja Smend
Image: Maja Smend

Try it

Duck, Marsala and chestnut ragu

This hearty slow-cooked ragu is sweetened with earthy chestnuts and a splash of Marsala wine.

Pomegranate

These sweet-sharp, jewel-like seeds are at their crimson best at this time of year. Native to Iran but now grown all over the world, pomegranates are commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine in the form of raw seeds, pomegranate juice and molasses. They liven up salads, couscous and meat dishes, and their sweetness lends itself to beautiful cakes and desserts too.

Image: Tara Fisher
Image: Tara Fisher

Try it

Pomegranate and raspberry cheesecake

Make this striking cheesecake ahead of time and whip out the fridge to serve to party guests.

Turnips

This underrated British winter root is usually creamy white with a purple, red or green upper skin where it rises above the ground and is exposed to sunlight. Turnips boast an impressive nutritional profile, providing a good source of vitamin C and fibre among other benefits. Try them in place of the more common potato in mash and gratins, or in comforting casseroles.

Image: Maja Smend
Image: Maja Smend

Try it

Cheesy turnip and walnut gratin

Switch up your Sunday roast side dish with this golden gratin.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower can stand up to punchy flavours and is therefore an excellent vehicle for spice, herbs and strong condiments such as miso and tahini. We also know it’ll happily bathe in cheese sauce, but cauliflower is far more versatile than that; cut into florets for roasting, thickly slice into ‘steaks’, grate into rice or blitz into a velvety soup.

Image: Stuart West
Image: Stuart West

Try it

Masala cauliflower and aduki bean curry

This 3-of-your-5-a-day curry puts cauliflower centre stage and happens to be vegan too.

Leeks

A member of the onion family but with a milder flavour, the humble leek is a classic ingredient in traditional soups such as vichyssoise and cock-a-leekie and pairs well with cheese in quiches and gratins. Cook leeks until just tender, as they can be tough and chewy when undercooked and turn mushy if taken too far.

Image: Toby Scott
Image: Toby Scott

Try it

Leek and smoked haddock tart

Leeks, smoked haddock and cheddar are a heavenly combination in this tart; serve as a dinner party starter or enjoy for a weekend lunch.

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