What’s in Season: November Produce Guide

Written by Diann Leo-Omine & Lisa Lin, Photos by Lisa Lin.

I don’t know about you, friends, but even shifting back an hour with the time change increases the need for quick and easy recipes. Fortunately, the change in weather can mean throwing almost anything on a sheet pan at 350ºF to 425ºF and roasting for a half hour. Plus, it’s getting cold enough for when turning on that oven will heat up the house anyway.

Cold house aside, this time of year is abundant for gatherings and gratitude. Grab a platter of Brussels sprouts and potatoes and invite the friends and family over.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

How do you feel about Brussels sprouts? Brussels sprouts are members of the Brassica family, related to cabbage and kale and other hearty greens. They’re high in vitamins C and K and many other minerals. I’ve found that roasting them until they’re crispy and tossing them with a flavorful sauce – especially with Chinese restaurant-style General Tso’s or kung pao flavors – will quickly convert any Brussels sprouts naysayers. Just be careful not to overcook them – that’s when they pick up that sulfurous, gassy bitter flavor that many hate. 

HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Choose Brussels sprouts that are on the smaller side and green and compact. Skip buds that show any yellowing or holes, as the discoloration can indicate more bitterness and the holes can mean pests. If lucky enough to find sprouts on the stalk, Brussels sprouts can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or one week if loose buds.

RECIPES USING BRUSSELS SPROUTS

• Chili & Garlic Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Asparagus
• Brussels Sprouts Potato Stir Fried (from Playful Cooking)
• Pomegranate Molasses Brussels Sprouts with Hazelnuts (from A Cozy Kitchen)
• Vegan Brussels Sprouts and Mushroom Lasagna (from Rainbow Plant Life)

BUTTERNUT SQUASH

This bulb-shaped winter squash has a thick tan skin and a golden orange flesh underneath. The wider base of the bulb contains seeds, which can be roasted like pumpkin seeds. The flesh itself takes on an unbelievable sweetness once roasted. I dare you not to snack on the pieces after roasting, especially knowing this squash contains vitamins A, B, and C!

How do you tackle cutting a butternut squash? This squash can look intimidating than it really is. Check out my guides on how to cut butternut squash and how to make butternut squash puree for soups and baked goods.

HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Choose butternut squash with a smooth exterior and even coloring. Butternut squash can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place for a month. However, if you keep the squash for too long, the center of the neck will dry up. That means you can include it as part of your fall decor and still have it for soup a month later!

RECIPES USING BUTTERNUT SQUASH

• Thai-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
• Butternut Squash Curry with Spinach
• Butternut Squash & Bacon Deviled Eggs (from Snixy Kitchen)
• Warm Butternut Squash and Chickpea Salad (from Floating Kitchen)

CABBAGE

Like Brussels sprouts, crunchy cabbage is another hearty Brassica. Because they are related, cabbage can also have a bad rap as being stinky or bitter (though likely not as much as Brussels sprouts). Again, one way to avoid that sulfurous smell is not to overcook it.

Cabbage is full of fiber and vitamins C and K. Green cabbage, which resembles a pale green bowling ball, is a crunchy filling for potstickers and spring rolls as the texture provides body without adding too much moisture. Longer stalked Napa cabbage is well beloved in kimchi.

HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE CABBAGE

Choose tight heads of cabbage. Don’t worry too much about loose outer leaves as these will be removed anyhow. Store whole cabbage in the refrigerator for up to a month, and cut cabbage wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for two weeks. Resist the urge to wash the cabbage before storing, as this will make the cabbage go bad quicker.

RECIPES USING CABBAGE

• The Easiest Chicken Chow Mein (雞肉炒麵)
• Cabbage and Carrot Slaw with Almond Butter Vinaigrette
• Grilled Cabbage and Fennel with Maple Mustard Cream (from The First Mess)
• My Favorite Braised Red Cabbage (from The Full Helping)

KIWI

Did you know that it’s possible to eat the whiskered skin of a kiwi? Most of us don’t, but the skin is in fact edible. Cut open a kiwi and you’ll find emerald green flesh and crunchy, edible black seeds. These fuzzy brown fruits are a great source of vitamins C and K. Just a little tart, kiwi adds a burst of color and visual appeal to your holiday cheeseboard.

HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE KIWI

Choose kiwi with a uniform exterior and no overly soft spots. You can ripen kiwi by placing it in a paper bag at room temperature for a few days. You can store ripe kiwi in the refrigerator for up to a month.

RECIPES USING KIWI

• Kiwi Lime Mojito (from Kitchen Confidante)
• Kiwi-Jalapeño Salsa (from Kitchn)
• Kiwi and Lime Curd Fools with Blackberries (from Floating Kitchen)

PEARS

Conventional pears are enjoyed when they’re soft, as opposed to the Asian pears mentioned in the October produce guide. Depending on the variety, pears run a wide range of colors, from reddish brown, to fall gold, earthy brown, to light green. Pears are rich in vitamin C and potassium. Much of that nutrition is concentrated in its skin, though, so don’t cast off that grainy, gritty, peel.

HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE PEARS

Choose pears that are with smooth exteriors, with a little bit of softness. Pears are often harvested when they’re underripe, as they can go bad quickly, but they shouldn’t be rock hard. To ripen, let sit at room temperature for 2-3 days. A ripe pear will be a little fragrant and soft but not mushy. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week, but avoid keeping them in an air tight plastic bag.

RECIPES USING PEARS

• Use diced pears instead of apples in this Fall Harvest Quinoa Salad
• Winter Fruit Salad (from Smitten Kitchen)
• Pear Cardamom Bread (from Sense and Edibility)
• Lemon Ricotta Pear Muffins with Pistachio Oat Streusel (from Constellation Inspiration)

POMEGRANATE

Pomegranates are pumped with antioxidants and vitamins C and K. The rough reddish-brown skin hides the inedible bitter pulp and clusters of tart ruby red arils, which are otherwise the seeds of the pomegranate.

To remove the arils, some people prefer whacking the pomegranate with a spoon in the sink or a large bowl. I find this method to be too messy, so I prefer taking them apart in a bowl of water. For more detailed guidance on handling pomegranates, check out my posts on how to make pomegranate juice (video) and how to make pomegranate molasses (photos).

HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE POMEGRANATE

Conventional wisdom has it that the best pomegranates are the ones that have unblemished skin and are bright red on the outside. In my experience, that has not been the case. The best pomegranates, with deep ruby arils, are the ones that are slightly cracked and have some golden brown patches on the exterior. In general, these tend to be ones that I buy from the farmers market and not from the grocery store. Because of the cracked skin, you should eat the pomegranates (or remove the arils out of the fruit) within 4 to 5 days. You can store the pomegranate arils in the freezer for months.

RECIPES USING POMEGRANATE

• Pomegranate Apple Cider Spritzer
• Festive Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe (from Cookie and Kate)
• Sweet Potato Pomegranate Crostini Recipe (from Love and Lemons)
• Lemon Cookie Bars with Pomegranate Seeds (from Eat the Love)

POTATOES

Pureed, baked, or mashed, there are so many ways to enjoy potatoes. In spite of their carby reputation, potatoes contain fiber, protein, iron and many vitamins and minerals. 

From creamy Yukon golds to versatile Russets, there’s a rainbow of potatoes as far as color and application. Not sure which potato to cook with? Serious Eats has a guide to help you decide. 

HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE POTATOES

Choose potatoes that are heavy for their size. Skip potatoes that are soft, sprouting, or have an off-green coloring to them. Mama Lin even suggests storing the potatoes with an apple to prevent the sprouts from growing. If kept in a cool, dry, dark place, potatoes can be stored for a month or more.

RECIPES USING POTATOES

• Chinese Stir Fried Shredded Potatoes (Tudou Si, 土豆絲)
• Smoked Gouda Smashed Potatoes
• Cauliflower, potatoes and carrots vegetable (One pot Indian dish) (from Jam Lab)
• Southern-Style Potato Salad Recipe (from The Hungry Hutch)

PUMPKIN

Did you know that canned pumpkin often comes from the butternut squash-like Dickinson pumpkin and not the orange pumpkins we typically use for Jack-o-lanterns? If you’re looking to cook or bake with pumpkin, you can generally rely on smaller varieties, which are slightly smaller than basketballs and often labeled as pie pumpkins. If you’re confused, Simply Recipes tackles the many varieties of winter squash. (Note that if you see pumpkin in relation to Chinese food, it’s often the seaweed green colored kabocha squash, which I cover in December!)

HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE PUMPKIN

Choose pumpkin that is heavy for its size and without any black or mushy spots. Store pumpkin in a cool, dry place for a month or more.

RECIPES USING PUMPKIN

• Pumpkin Scallion Pancakes
• Pumpkin Millet Porridge
• Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup (from Two Red Bowls) 
• Baked Pumpkin Arancini Balls (from Recipe Tin Eats)

WINTER MELON

Winter melon (冬瓜), sometimes known as ash or wax gourd, is a neutral tasting, white fleshed melon related to the cucumber. They come in many varieties. Some are large and around in shape; some are oblong. The exterior of winter melon also differs depending on the variety: some are covered in a natural white powder, some are green without any powder, and there are some varieties that have a fuzz and slightly prickly skin.

Because it takes on other flavors well, it’s frequently used in soups, stir fries, and curries. In a Chinese banquet setting, the whole melon can even serve as a soup tureen!

When sweetened, winter melon can be a filling for many Chinese sweets, like moon cake or wife cake 老婆餅/老婆饼. Perfect for cooling off in the summer, winter melon can even be concentrated into a syrup for a non-caffeinated milk tea!

HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE WINTER MELON

Winter melon is often sold sliced and wrapped in plastic in the refrigerated section at Asian supermarkets. That’s because the winter melons that make it to the grocery stores are so large that customers would rarely buy them whole. Store the cut wrapped melon in the refrigerator and use within a few days. 

Depending on where you live, you may be able to score smaller winter melons at the farmers market that are sold whole. You can store whole melons at room temperature for months!

RECIPES USING WINTER MELON

• Use winter melon instead of chayote in my Chinese Stir-Fried Chayote recipe
• Chinese Winter Melon Soup with Meatballs (from Woks of Life)
• Vegan Thai Green Curry Meat Eaters Will Love (from Hot Thai Kitchen) 
• Dumroot/Dumroot Halwa/Kashi Halwa (from Food Fashion Party)