In every season, nature provides precious gifts to bring to our dinner table: vegetable gardens in December are coloured red, orange and purple.

They are beautiful to look at and rich in nutrients that are useful for preventing the typical colds of this time of year. Let’s discover a few types of fruit and vegetables found this month.

Cabbages. Lacinato kale, Romanesco broccoli, purple cauliflower, and the list goes on. There really are many varieties of cabbage that we can eat, all of which are rich in mineral salts and vitamins, particularly A and C, which are powerful natural antioxidants.
Swiss chard. Rich in mineral salts, particularly potassium and iron, and vitamins, Swiss chard is highly digestible and a diuretic. Thanks to its folic acid and iron, it also has anti-anaemic properties.
Squashes. They add a touch of colour and vibrancy to our dishes and are rich in beneficial properties. Squashes, the quintessential symbol of autumn, have a strong antioxidant action thanks to the presence of beta-carotene and vitamins. They encourage healthy intestines due to their high fibre content and, as they are 90% water, they are a good way to help against water retention.
Citrus fruits. These contain vitamins A, B and C, but also fibre, mineral salts and folic acid. Oranges and mandarins, and all citrus fruits in general, are pure concentrated good health and very useful for boosting our immune defences.

In addition to being rich in beneficial properties, December vegetables have many uses in the kitchen. With their vibrant colours and many varieties, you can indulge yourself making plenty of delicious recipes.

Here are a few ideas:
Puréed broccoli soup
Potato gnocchi with creamed pumpkin and crispy guanciale