Why is is important to eat seasonally? Seasonal foods are often cheaper, fresher and tastier! Plus you can support local farmers and producers while benefitting your own health at the same time. What better reasons are there! Lets get stuck in with what’s in season – February edition!

This is the first time I am writing a post dedicated to eating seasonally and helping you chilli fans know whats in season this time of year! So if you want to eat more seasonally then be sure to sign up to the newsletter and receive our monthly whats in season email!

February is a funny month. Its just after the dreaded first month of the year, January, that seems to go on forever. Its still cold but there are more sunny days giving us hope of upcoming spring. The days are getting longer and the flowers are beginning to poke their heads through the soil.

Thankfully there are lots of yummy foods that the month blesses us with so keep reading if you want to find out!

Why Eat Seasonally?

Seasonal food is cheaper, fresher, tastier and even more nutritious than out of season foods. I love grapes and used to buy them every week but they are much better in the late summer/autumn when they are in season and have just been harvested. Plus you discover local varieties and fruit that has been grown outdoors on old vines and not GMO types grown under large greenhouses!

The quicker you eat a fruit or vegetable after harvest the fresher and tastier it will be. Obviously, there are exceptions as some fruit and vegetables need time to ripen after harvest.

The main reason I like to eat seasonal fruit is to support the local farmers and producers around me, instead of big supermarkets that have plenty of business and money. Living in the french countryside we are blessed to have more access to fresh locally grown produce and I refuse to pass up on the opportunity to benefit and contribute to the community.

Eating seasonally is also a more sustainable way to eat and helps make better consumer food trends. If more of us start only buying and eating seasonal foods supermarkets will have no choice but to supply us with more local seasonal produce that we the consumer are demanding.

What Vegetables are in Season?

February is very similar to January when it comes to whats in season. its the time for root vegetables, alliums and leafy greens!

Beetroot, Brocoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, 
Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Garlic, Kale, Leeks, 
Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Potato, Spinach, Spring Onion, 
Squash, Swede, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard, Truffles, Turnips

What Fruit is in Season?

For fruits think tree fruit like apples and pears. Its also the citrus season so oranges and the like are at their prime! We have a local street vendor (not sure if legal but heh ho!) who sells oranges from Sicily. This is where my mother lives so I know the oranges are simply delicious, sweet and juicy!

Apples, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Lemon, Lime, Oranges, Pears,
Pomelo, Pomegranate

What to cook in February?

In February the days may be getting longer but its still pretty cold! Plus there are still lots of bugs flying around so you want to keep your immune system at the top of its game!

For a strong immune system eat lots of citrus fruit. This is due to their high vitamin c content. You can add lemon and lime to curries, soups and fish recipes. Oranges can simply be eaten and enjoyed alone. Or you can always make homemade orange juice.

For veggies leafy greens are full of vitamin a which is also great for immune support.

To stay nice and warm this month eat lots of spicy food, soups and casseroles! I put chilli in my food often but even more so in the winter months. Did you know that 1 chilli contains more vitamin c than 3 oranges? Crazy right!

The Best February Recipes!

Here I leave my favourite recipes to make this month for pure indulgence, immune support, staying warm and the mood of the month!

Indulgent Winter Recipes

• Dauphinois Potatoes – Creamy layers of scalloped poattoes cooked in a cream and cheese sauce!
• Tartiflette – Decadent gratin of potatoes, lardons, white wine and cheese.
• Beef Bourguignon – Indulgent beef slow cooked with red wine!

Winter Warmer Recipes

• Coq au vin – beautifully braised chicken in red wine with carrots and mushrooms.
• Coq au vin Blanc – as above but with white wine for a sweeter experience.

Immune Boosting Recipes

• Chinese Braised Belly Pork – A household favourite. Braised pork belly slices in a sweet and spicy Chinese style sauce.
• Spicy Cayenne, Lemon and Garlic Roast Chicken – The chilli lemon and garlic is a winning immune protection trio.
• Pla Rad Prik – Super Spicy Thai Fried Fish Topped with Spicy, Sweet, & Sour Chilli Sauce – This recipe is so good and can be enjoyed all year but I love it in the summer and the winter because it packs a punch and has chilli, orange and ginger in it providing lots of immune support and antiviral properties.

Any of these recipes will be the perfect dish to serve to your family and friends this month! They use seasonal produce and have all the right ingredients to keep your immunity up and your tummy content!

Did you like this What’s in Season Article?

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m here to help! If you loved this article, I hope you’ll leave a comment and rating below! Let me know what you are cooking this month and share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at @chilliandlife and hashtag it #chilliandlife ! I’ll be sure to share it!