When its raining outside, and the nights are cold and dark, warming meals can really lift your spirits and make you feel better. The logic of eating seasonal food really hits home when the weather turns nasty, - I'm sure there aren't many people who would be comforted by a cold bowl of salad on days like today. Food is one of the most basic means we have of comforting and nourishing, and for protecting ourselves from the colds and flus that hit in these winter months. "Comfort food" seems to be associated with rich stodgy and fairly unhealthy options, but in my books, there is nothing more comforting that a beautiful big bowl of soup or a slow cooked winter stew simmering away in the kitchen.

The amazing thing about food is that it has particular qualities that we can make use of for particular needs. Just as we turn to cucumbers and cooling juices in the summer to cool us down, there are foods that warm the body that are great to eat in the winter. Ginger is the most obvious warming food, and it can be added to any dishes in winter, such as stir-frys, teas, miso soups, stews, stewed fruits and desserts. Oats also have a very warming nature, and are perfect for winter mornings. Read Kellie's fabulous article all about Porridge ...  Foods that are baked in the oven, or cooked for a while with a lid on also tend to be more warming to the body than foods that are quickly cooked or raw.

Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, beetroots, parsnips and swedes are obvious winter veges, and the rich sweet tastes of pumpkins and sweet potatoes are excellent too. The vital fresh green component is best found in the slow growing winter crops such as brussel sprouts, black cabbage (cavolo nero) and Kale.  Broccoli is also abundant and beautiful at this time of year, and we are lucky to have a very local supplier, who picks it the afternoon before he brings it to market for us. Local citrus crops are also great now, with their warming vitamin rich juice. 

For more Seasonal recipe ideas, check out our Autumn guide here, or see what is in Season here.