December is the beginning of the cold months. The leaves are finally all off the trees and flooding your yard, begging to be raked. Every corner you turn in the super market is filled with Ginger spice and Christmas cookies. The only part of the season that isn’t filled to the top with Christmas spirit, is your wallet. Wether you have a big or small family, the expenses of Christmas get outrageous. Gifts for every cousin-brother-nephew-in-law-twice-removed, down to the dogs, seem to be necessary. Simply put- my familiy’s present this year is getting to see me.

I know everyone has Christmas parties to attend every weekend this month. For our employee Christmas party, we thought about doing a theme – maybe Mexican, or a potluck dinner. Whatever party you might be thinking about – let me help guide you to what’s in season, going out of season, and at the peak of its season. Produce and vegetables at the peak of season are going to be the best bang for your buck – they’ll be a good size and a reasonable price; those that are winding down are going to be less appeasable and a little pricier depending on demand; and those new in season are going to be small and not quite the best harvest.

Vegetables
New in season – haas avocados and cauliflower
Winding down – winter squash, parsnips, and daikons
Peak of season – Brussels sprouts, wild mushrooms, turnips, and sweet potatoes

Fruits
New in season – cherimoya, grapefruit, naval oranges
Winding down – cranberries
Peak of season – fresh dates, Bosc pears, comice pears, mandarin oranges

The only fruit I’m not very familiar with is cherimoya, but with some research it sounds delicious. Its flavor is a mixture of banana, papaya, pineapple, peach, and strawberry, with a soft, sweet sherbert-like texture.

Here’s what a cherimoya looks like, thanks to google..

Eat healthy, play hard,
Coleman