Locally produced vegetables tend to suffer at this time of year, although two products that do thrive are purple sprouting broccoli & cavolo nero. Purple sprouting broccoli is thought to provide resistance against osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes as well as the common cold (due to it being packed with vitamin c). It is normally served as an accompaniment either steamed, boiled or stir fried, but it also works well in pasta dishes & quiches.

Cavolo nero is also known as “black cabbage” and is a very popular ingredient n many classic Italian meals. It is extremely versatile and can be used as an accompaniment or in salads or soups. A date to remember this month is Burns Night on 25th January – don’t forget to order your neeps & tatties.

Fruit

January is a great month for Seville oranges, but they are only around for a few weeks. Apart from being used to make marmalade, the pith & skin can be candied, the skin can be used to flavour cakes and puddings while the juice can be used in marinades, sauces and vinaigrettes.

January also marks the start of the Yorkshire rhubarb season. This unique product is traditionally grown in the rhubarb triangle (Wakefield, Bradford and Leeds). Rhubarb has many culinary uses such as in cakes, desserts, pastries, jams, pickles and sauces.