5 in season vegetables: winter edition

Happy New Year! From the CHOMP team to you, we wish you all a wonderful year of 2023 and we are beyond grateful to be starting a new year with our CHOMP family.

To kick off our first ever blog post of 2023, we are sharing with you 5 in season vegetables of January that you can find in Hong Kong. Whilst many kinds of veggies can now be found almost all year round in our supermarkets, there are still some that are selectively available and, simply don’t taste as sweet when not consumed in season. And if taste is not enough to convince to buy seasonal vegetables, then think of the environmental and economical benefits you will be contributing to (local harvests instead of imports/use of greenhouses).

芋頭 Taro

In season between the months of November to February.

Taro is a starchy root vegetable that is rich in fibre. It is a relatively versatile ingredient in Chinese cooking; it can be used in sweet or savoury dishes. Think taro cake, taro steamed pork ribs, taro boiled duck, and taro pudding. Here's a recipe of one of our favourites, taro cake, that you can enjoy especially with Chinese New Year around the corner!

西洋菜 Water Cress

In season between the months of November to March.

Water cress is known to be a “superfood” vegetable as it is packed with nutrients (such as vitamin K) that can help prevent blood clotting and can promote healthy bones. In Chinese culture, watercress is a “凉” vegetable. Meaning it can be consumed for the benefit of flushing harmful toxins out of your body. A great source of detox after the festivities in the new year! Enjoy a watercress soup during this winter to help you start your year feeling clean and fresh.

荷蘭豆 Snow Pea

In season between the months of December to March.

Snow peas are deliciously sweet and crispy. Popular as a stir-fry vegetable, they are also filled with health benefits and are low in calorie! Part of the peas family, snow peas are eaten whole as their pods contain edible fibre. They are effortless to prepare and can be enjoyed for a quick protein-rich snack. Here's a quick and easy snow pea stir-fry recipe that we love making for an easy weekday dinner meal.

白蘿蔔 Chinese White Radish

In season between the months of November to March.

Chinese white radish, or also known as daikon radish, is a perfect winter ingredient. Not only it is low in calories but it is additionally high in fibre. Other benefits include improving immunity, reducing inflammation and removing harmful toxins. Sounds to us like the most delectable combination of taste and health benefits. Why not try this braised daikon dish that is packed with flavours and requires minimal ingredients?

紹菜 Celery Cabbage

In season between the months of November to March.

Celery cabbage or napa cabbage is a type of Chinese cabbage which originates from near the Beijing region. It is a leafy green vegetable with white edible stalks. It has a less distinct yet sweeter taste than regular cabbage but it readily absorbs the flavours of other foods. The celery cabbage is high in vitamin C and fibre, and is additionally a great source of iron and zinc. Check out this celery cabbage stir-fry recipe that is both affordable and healthy to make.

For more information on seasonal vegetables, have a look at this amazing Seasonal Calendar of Vegetables and Fruits from Hong Kong made by Slow Food HK. You can also find a great repertoire of seasonal highlights in Hong Kong from Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.